



OFFICIAL DONATION. 



Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 77 



Series 0, Underground Waters, 19 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DiRECTOE 



THE 



WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI 

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS 



BY 



^\rALDEMAIi LIISTDGM^EISr 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1903 



PUBLICATIONS OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

The publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual Reports; (2) 
Monographs; (3) Professional Papers; (4) Bulletins; (5) Mineral Resources; (6) Water-Supply 
and Irrigation Papers; (7) Topographic Atlas of United States, folios and separate sheets thereof; 
(8) Geologic Atlas of United States, folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at 
cost of publication; the others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists may bo 
had on application. 

The Bulletins, Professional Papers, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of subjects, 
and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified into the folio-wing 
series: A, Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; 
D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and physics; P, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; 
H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water storage, K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, Meth- 
ods of hydrographic investigation; N, Water power; O, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic 
progress reports. Complete lists of series I to P follow. (WS= Water-Supply Paper; B=Bulle- 
tin; PP=Professional Paper.) 

Series I— Irrigation. 

WS 2. Irrigation near Phoenix, Ariz., by A. P. Davis. 1897. 98 pp., 31 pis. and maps. 

WS 5. Irrigation practice on the Great Plains, by E. B. Cowgill. 1897. 39 pp., 11 pis. 

WS 9. Irrigation near Greeley, Colo., by David Boyd. 1897. 90 pp„ 21 pis. 

WS 10. Irrigation in Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, by P. C. Barker. 1898. 51 pp., 11 pis. 

WS 13. Irrigation systems in Texas, by W. P. Hutson. 1898. 68 pp., 10 pis. 

WS 17. Irrigation near Bakersfield, Cal., by C. E. Grunsky. 1898. 93 pp., 16 pis. 

WS 18. Irrigation near Fresno, Cal., by C. E. Grunsky. 1898. 94 pp., 14 pis. 

WS 19. Irrigation near Merced, Cal., by C. B. Grunsky. 1899. 59 pp., 11 pis. 

WS 2.3. Water-right problems of Bighorn Mountains, by Elwood Mead. 1899. 62 pp., 7 pis. 

WS 32. Water resources of Porto Rico, by H. M. Wilson. 1899. 48 pp., 17 pis. and maps. 

WS 43. Conveyance of water in irrigation canals, flumes, and pipes, by Samuel Fortier. 1901. 

86 pp., 15 pis. 
WS 70. Geology and water resources of the Patrick and Goshen Hole quadrangles, Wyoming, 

byG. I. Adams. 1902. 50 pp., 11 pis. 
WS 71. Irrigation systems of Texas, by T. U. Taylor. 1902. 137 pp., 9 pis. 
WS 74. Water resources of the State of Colorado, by A. L. Fellows. 1902. 151 pp., 14 pis. 

The following papers also relate especially to irrigation: Irrigation in India, by H. M. Wilson, 
in Twelfth Annual, Part II; two papers on irrigation engineering, by H. M. Wilson, in Thir- 
teenth Annual, Part III. 

Series J— Water Storage. 

WS 33. Storage of water on Gila River, Arizona, by J. B. Lippincott. 1900. 98 pp., 33 pis. 
WS 40. The Austin dam, by Thomas U. Taylor. 1900. 51 pp., 16 pis. 

WS 45. Water stoi-age on Cache Creek, California, by A. E. Chandler. 1901. 48 pp., 10 pis. 
WS 46. Physical characteristics of Kern River, California, by P. H. Olmsted, and Reconnaissance 

of Yuba River, California, by Marsden Manson. 1901. 57 pp., 8 pis. 
WS 58. Storage of water on Kings River, California, by J. B. Lippincott. 1902. 100 pp., 32 pis. 
WS 68. Water storage in Truckee Basin, California-Nevada, by L. H. Taylor. 1902. 90 pp., 8 pis. 
WS 73. Water storage on Salt River, Arizona, by A. P. Davis. 1902. 54 pp., 25 pis. 

The following paper also should be iioted under this heading: Reservoirs for irrigation, by 
J. D. Schuyler, in Eighteenth Annual, Part IV. 

Series K— Pumping Water. 

WS 1. Pumping water for irrigation, by Herbert M. Wilson. 1896. 57 pp., 9 pis. 

WS 8. Windmills for ii-rigation, by E. C. Murphy. 1897. 49 pp., 8 pis. 

WS 14. New tests of certain pumps and water lifts used in irrigation, by O. P. Hood. 1898. 91 

pp.,lpl. 
WS 20. Experiments with windmills, by T. O. Perry. 1899. 97 pp., 12 pis. 
WS 29. Wells and windmills in Nebraska, by E. H. Barbour. 1899. 85 pp., 27 pis. 
WS 41. The windmill; its efficiency and economic use, Part I, by E. C. Murphy. 1901. 72 pp., 

14 pis. 
WS 42. The windmill, Part H (continuation of No. 41). 1901. 73-147 pp., 15-16 pis. 
(Continued on 3d page of cover.) 
IRR 77—2 



"Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 77 



Series 0, Underground "Waters, 19 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOE 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. WALCOTT,'Directoe 



THE 



WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAl 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS 



BY 



WALDEMAR LIND GhRElST 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1903 



CONTENTS. 



Letter of transmittal 7 

Introduction 9 

Topography -. 9 

Geology ._...... . 12 

Coral reefs . ._- 15 

Climate . - 16 

Soils 18 

Vegetation : , 20 

Causes of decrease of forest area -". - 23 

Fanna 24 

Culture 24 

Water supply 26 

General principles . - ...- 26 

Springs 28 

Springs on sea shore 28 

High-level springs , - - 29 

Running streams . 30 

Streams of the north coast 30 

Waihanau--_ 31 

Waialeia " 31 

Waikolu 31 

Pelekunu 32 

Wailau 32 

Halawa 82 

Streams of the south coast - , 33 

Meyers Gulch _. 33 

Kaunakakai Gulch 35 

Onini Gulch 36 

Kawela Gulch 36 

Kamalo Gulch 1 .. 37 

Wells .. '. 37 

Kaluakoi 37 

Palaau 38 

Well No. 1 '. 38 

Well No. 2 : 38 

Well No. 3 38 

Palaau deep well 39 

Well in Meyers Gulch__. 39 

Well at mouth of Meyers Gulch : 39 

Naiwa 39 

Kalamaula , 39 

Cocoanut grove deep well 39 

Cocoanut grove shallow well 40 

Cocoanut grove pits 40 



4 CONTENTS. 

Water supply — Continued. Page. 
Wells — Continued. 

Kaiinakakai 40 

Cane field wells 40 

The settlement well 41 

The 3 upper wells . 41 

The deep well . 41 

The 12 wells for main pumping station 41 

Risdon wells ._. 43 

Kawela 43 

Well No. 1 43 

WellNo. 2 1 43 

Well No. 8 44 

WellNo.4 44 

WellNo. 5 46 

WellNo. 6 47 

WeUNo. 7 47 

WellNo.8 .. 47 

WellNo. 9 47 

Other weUs 47 

Theoretical amount of water available 47 

Utilization of the water supply 49 

Utilization of the running streams 50 

Waikolu 52 

Kawela 52 

Makakupaia . 52 

Kamiloloa _ 52 

Luahine Fork 52 

Waialia 52 

Waihanau 52 

Kahapakai . 53 

Wailau and Pelekunu 55 

Utilization of the ground water 56 

Palaau 57 

Cocoanut grove wells 57 

Kaunakakai 58 

Risdon wells 58 

Kawela 58 

Recapitulation 59 

Electric power available .-. - 60 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Plate I. Map of Molokai 9 

II. A, Soiitli coast of Molokai at Kolo windmill, west end of island 
(looking west), showing sea cliff and successive basalt flows 
sloping down toward the coast; B, Mouth of Kawela Gulch, 
south coast of Molokai, showing bowlder-filled creek bed and 
steep side slopes cut in basalt 10 

III. A, Kamalo Gulch, south coast of Molokai, showing parts of sur- 

face of volcanic^^ cone, deeply dissected by steep gulches, 
debris fans at mouth of gulches, and coral reef below shallow 
water near sbore;^ B, North coast of Molokai (looking west 
from the landing at Wailau) , showing fault scarp along north- 
ern coast, horizontal basalt flows near base of cliff, and penin- 
sula of leper settlement in the distance . 12 

IV. A, North coast of Molokai (looking west from summit of trail 

to leper settlement) , showing summit plateau and fault scarp 
exposing a great number of basalt flows, elevation 1,600 feet 
above sea level; B, North coast of Molokai, mouth of Wailau 
Valley (looking east), showing fault scarp 3,000 feet high and 
alcove type of eroded valleys 14 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



Department of the Interior, 
United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C, October 1, 1902. 
. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript by Wal- 
demar Lindg-ren, geologist of this Survey, with the request that it be 
published in the series of Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers. This 
manuscript relates to the water supply of Molokai, one of the Hawaiian 
Islands. It was prepared from the results of an investigation made 
unofficially by Mr. Lindgren in 1900. The observations made at that 
time and the conclusions drawn from them have such general interest, 
as showing the possibilities and limitations of one of the group of 
islands, that it is desirable to make them available to the public. Of 
especial interest are Mr. Lindgren's notes on the gradual decrease of 
the forested area, the probable effect of grazing, and the intimate 
relations of these to the available water supply. 

The problems of water conservation are here shown to be rather 
difficult and involved, but are similar in many respects to those of the 
arid West, the solution being found in combined systems of storage, 
water-power development, use of the power in pumping, the construc- 
tion of wells, collecting tunnels, and the economical employment of 
various devices for lifting water. Opportunity is thus offered for the 
exercise of skill and mature judgment by the geologist, hydrographer, 
and civil and mechanical engineer. 

Very respectfully, F. H. Newell, 

• Hydrographer in Charge. 
Hon. Charles D. Walcott, 

Director of United Stcdes Geological Survey. 

7 



THE WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI, HAWAIIAN 

ISLANDS. 



By Waldemar Lindgren. 



IIS^TRODUCTION. 

Molokai is the fiftli in size of the Hawaiian Islands, and is sitnated 
between Oahn and Maui. Oaliu is 23 miles distant, and from higher 
points Diamond Head is in plain sight on clear days. From Maui 
it is divided by a sound only 8 miles wide. Not much farther to the 
south rises the dry, rocky coast of Lanai, a still smaller island, chiefly 
used as a sheep range. Molokai is a narrow strip of land, extending 
^ miles from east to west and having an average width of a little less 
than 7 miles. The area is 261 square miles. The population in 1900 
numbered 2,500. The island stands on the submarine plateau from 
which the whole northern group rises, so that no extreme depths are 
found in the channel between Oahu and Molokai, nor between Molokai 
and Maui. Coral reefs fringe nearlj^ the whole south coast of Molokai, 
but few occur on the north shore. This north shore is the wind- 
ward side, receiving the full impact of the trade winds and a great 
amount of moisture. In strong contrast to this the south shore is 
extremelj" dry. 

Molokai is outside of the ordinary course of travel. No description 
of the island has ever been published, as far as I know, excepting 
somewhat stereotj'ped references to the leper settlement in books of 
travel. The more easily accessible portions are not attractive, and 
the northeast coast, which is characterized by wonderful scenery, is 
hardly ever visited by travelers. 

TOPOGRAPHY.a 

Three natural divisions may be recognized in the relief of the land : 
(1) The west end, or Kaluakoi; (2) the low gap separating Kalua- 
koi from the principal mountain range; and (3) the eastern range. 

"The Hawaiians do not ordinarily designate directions by the four points of the compass. 
They have instead two very expressive terms: Maiika, meaning upward, toward the Jiigher 
parts of the island, and Makai, m.eaning the opposite, or toward the sea. It also seems that they 
do not usually designate the water courses by special names, but instead apply to them the 
name of the subdivision of land throiigh which they happen to flow. As will be seen from, the 
map, each subdivision has its own name. 

9 



10 WATEE EESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

The west end, or Kaluakoi, comprises about 55 square miles. This 
area consists of a broad, bare, and grassy ridge, beginning at the 
light-house at the southwestern extremity of the island and culminat- 
ing, with an elevation of 1,382 feet, in the round-topped hill of Mauna 
Loa. Rocky and abrupt ravines lead southward from this backbone 
to the sea, while long gulches with gentler grade, and separated by 
broad ridges, reach the north shore. Here a steep cliff has been 
formed by the action of the waves (PL II, A). A sharp slope, or pali, 
a few hundred •feet high, runs northward from Mauna Loa, dividing 
the west end from the low gap. 

A low gap separates Kaluakoi from the principal mountain range 
of the island. The lowest point of this divide is 450 feet above sea 
level. Gently rolling smooth surfaces characterize this broad gap or 
saddle; on the south it is cut by shallow gulches and slopes gradually 
to the sea, while on the north shore the surf has sculptured a low sea 
cliff gradually merging into the great precipice or pali which from 
here on follows the northern coast. This gap contains the best and 
most extensive sugar-cane lands on the island, the total area being 
about 14,000 acres of deep red, extremely fertile soil. This area is 
sharply separated from the west end by Mauna Loa Creek on the 
south side of the island and by the above-mentioned low pali on the 
north. Eastward the rolling country gradually rises to the plateau 
of the main mountains of the island. 

The eastern range comprises the largest part of the island. This 
may be briefly described as a segment of a circle, the chord of which 
extends east and west and has a length of about 25 miles. The line 
dividing the north-south drainage is, roughly speaking, parallel to 
t*he curve of the souttiern coast. The mountains culminate almost in 
the center of the island in the peak of Kamakou, which attains an 
elevation of nearly 5,000 feet. The south slope is gradual, and is fur- 
rowed by a great number of straight and narrow, though often deep, 
ravines (PI. II, B, and PI. Ill, A). The north slope is abrupt, in places 
precipitous, and is marked by five most extraordinary recesses or 
alcoves, cut in the face of the scarp. This great precipice and these 
alcoves are the most remarkable feature of the island's topograjjliy. 
North of the great gap of the island the great pali has a height of onlj^ 
a few hundred feet, which increases to 900 feet north of Molokai Home 
ranch and reaches 1,500 feet, where the trail to the leper settlement 
crosses it. From this point eastward the great precipice is much higher 
and from Waikolu to Wailau attains elevations of from 2,500 to 3,500 
feet ; then it gradually decreases again to Halawa, where it ends near 
the eastern point of the island, having there an elevation of 850 feet. 
The character of this pali may be seen from PI. Ill, B, and IV, A. 
When of moderate height, i. e., up to 1,500 feet, it forms practically 
one continuous slope of from 50° to 70°, with practically no level land 
below. The surf beats directly against the foot of the escarpment. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 77 PL. II 




?r '■ -fi. 



mj^^'£. 









A. SOUTH COAST OF MOLOKAI AT KOLO WINDMILL, v'V EST END OF ISLAND, 

LOOKING WEST. 

Showing seacliff and successive basalt flows sloping down toward the coast. 








B. MOUTH OF KAWELA GULCH. SOUTH COAST OF MOLOKAI. 
Showing bowlder-filled creek bed and steep side slopes cut in basalt. 



LINDGREN.] " . TOPOGRAPHY. 11 

At the mouth of the Wailau Valley, and wherever it attains great 
height, there is usually a vertical or practically vertical cliff from a 
few hundred to a thousand feet high. Al)6ve this a slightly more 
gradual slope prevails, but for 2,000 feet above sea level the average 
declivity is often about 70°. Above this the slope flattens to something 
like 45°. The precipitous rock walls are channeled by a great number 
of parallel grooves cut by the rain water, and wherever the slopes are 
not vertical the dark colored rock is covered by a mantle of bright 
green vegetation. Only in one place is there is any important land 
mass projecting northward at the foot of the pali. That is the penin- 
sula of the leper settlement, Kalaupapa, a rocky and dry peninsula 2 
miles wide and 2 miles long, its highest point rising only a few hun- 
dred feet above the sea and marked by the crater of a small extinct 
volcano. 

Next to the great pali itself the most remarkable features of the 
northern coast are the deep recesses or alcoves which erosion has carved 
into it, alcoves with exceedingly steep, sometimes perpendicular 
slopes, of wonderful beauty and grandeur, over the edges of which the 
waters of the upper drainage basins fall in numberless cascades, 
increasing to magnificent waterfalls during the rainy season. 

West of Waikolu Valley the main divide of the island is close to the 
northern shore, but here it turns southeasterly and curving follows 
approximately the central line of the island. The three western 
alcoves, Waihanau, Waialeia, and Waikolu, have as yet not cut back 
very far and are therefore most characteristic of their type. All three 
have a shorter upper high level drainage consisting of small canyons 
in the high plateau, 200 to 400 feet deep, connected by cascades with 
the lower straight and deep canyons, 2 to 3 miles in length. The 
even verdure-clad side slopes descend at angles of from 40° to 60° to 
the water course in the bottom. At the head of the canyon ;bhe declivi- 
ties become much more precipitous and form an amphitheater in strong- 
contrast to the rolling or level summit plateau. At the head of the 
alcove and at various places from its sides the waterfalls descend like 
narrow white threads for 2,000 feet into the black depths of the chasm. 
Deep grooves and holes have been worn into the rock by the falls, so 
that in places they disappear altogether from view. More extensive 
and branching are the two principal streams of the island, Pelekunu 
and Wailau. They occupy watersheds of 4 or 5 square miles, but they, 
too, are surrounded by the same precipices, especially near the head- 
waters at the main divide. They are clearly of the same origin as the 
smaller alcoves, but a stronger erosive action has widened the valleys 
and extended their canyons. The grades of the streams are heavy 
throughout, and except at the north of the canyon there are practicalJy 
no bottom lands. PI. IV, B, shows the mouth of Wailau, with the 
broad, almost U-shaped form at the debouchure, and the furrowed 
slopes descending from the high plateau of the island. 



12 WATEE RESOUE0E8 OP MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

The Halawa, another of the permanent streams of the island, flows 
in an easterly direction, heading in the swamps of the plateau east of 
Wailau, descending in a great waterfall to the lower alcove or canyon, 
and debouching near the extreme eastern end of the island. 

From the headwaters of Waihanau to Kamakou, the highest peak 
on the islands, the summit region consists of gently sloping or hilly 
plateaus, generally swampy and cut by sharply incised ravines. The 
elevation of this plateau is onl}^ 2,000 feet south of the leper settle- 
ment but increases to 3,500 south of Waikolu and to over 4,000 between 
Waikolu and Pelekunu. Parts of the plateau project between the 
canyons, contrasting sharply against the precipices of alcoves and pali. 
From Kamakou for several miles eastward there is no central plateau, 
or only fragments of it. The drainage from north and south has cut 
in deeper and left only a sharp and jagged ridge. But between Wai- 
lau and Halawa there are again several square miles of the upper 
surface left. 

The south slope of the island is very different from the northern. 
South of the divide the plateau gradually changes to a sharjaer slope, 
over which the water courses find their way in small cascades and 
falls. This decided slope is most accentuated on the Kawela, but is 
noticeable all along the south side of the island. The lower declivi- 
ties, up to an elevation of 800 feet above the sea, are again gentle, 
having an inclination of from 5° to 8°, and a fringe of narrow flats 
follows the coast line. Instead of a few great canyons, some forty or 
fifty gulches and ravines form the drainage ways of the southern slope. 
All of these have the same characteristics, namely, a straight course, 
small drainage area, sharp grades, especially in their middle por- 
tion, and very abruptly incised sides, rarely, however, cut more than 
400 or 500 feet below the slope of the surface. These conditions are 
the natural result of a comparatively recently established drainage 
system over the smooth sides of a volcanic cone. East from Kawela 
the straight, steep gulches are even more numerous than in the western 
part. PL III, A, shows the great Kamalo Gulch back of the planta- 
tion of the same name. It illustrates well the V-shaped form of the 
canyons as well as the partially preserved surface of the old lava cone. 
On the whole, the streams draining north are permanent, while those 
draining south carry water only during the rainy season, and then 
intermittently. 

GEOLOGY. 

Like the other islands of the Hawaiian group, Molokai is almost 
entirely of igneous origin. It is a volcanic cone built up in the mid- 
dle of the ocean by a great number of superimposed basaltic flows. 
The island is, in fact, like Maui, formed by two volcanoes, and these 
two cones are separated hy a low gap on which secular disintegration 
has reduced the basalt to a deep red soil. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 77 PL. Ill 




KAMALO GULCH, SOUTH COAST OF MOLOKAI. 



Showing parts of surface of volcanic cone, deeply dissected by guicines, debris fans at mouth of gulches, 
and coral reef below shallow water near shore. 




ing fault scarp along north 



LOOKIN.G WEST FROM THE LANDING AT WAILAU. 

coast, horizontal basalt flows near base of cliff, and peninsula of leper 
settlement in the distance. 



I 



LINDGBBN.] GEOLOGY. 13 

The west end forms one, separate and complete, though, compara- 
tively low cone. Partly obliterated craters are still visible near the 
summit, between Mauna Loa, Kaana, and Amikopala. The cone is 
not very regular, and secondary centers of eruption were probably 
located near the southwest and northwest corners of the island. The 
steep pali running north from Mauna Loa to the coast indicates a dis- 
location along which the east side has dropped a few hundred feet. . 

The main or eastern part of the island is not of so simple a struc- 
ture. It represents one part, and probably the smaller part, of a 
large volcano, the northern part having dropped down along a great 
break or dislocation to a depth of from a few hundred to 3,000 or even 
4,000 feet. Thus, the great northern pali, described in the previous 
pages, is really a break or a fault line, which split the volcano in two. 
The evidence of this is clear and convincing. The slopes of the lava 
flows are everywhere to the south, from 4° to 13°; even in the cliffs 
of the north coast the same inclination is observed. This, in conjunc- 
tion with the form of the island, shows that a part of the volcano has 
been removed. Neither wave action nor erosion by running water 
could possibly have produced such an escarpment as that of the great 
pali, reaching 3,000 feet in height. The work of erosion on this cliff 
is shown plainly enough in the great alcoves cut by the water courses 
and described in previous pages. This erosion is still cutting south- 
ward and the divide is no doubt steadily migrating in that direction. 

Dana, I believe, was the first to insist that the outlines of these 
islands have been to some degree determined by dislocations; and in 
his Characteristics of Volcanoes* is the only reference to Molokai 
which I have found in geological literature. It is as follows : 

Molokai was once, as its lava streams prove, a doublet of volcanoes like Maui, 
but it bas been shaved down to a strip of land. The eastern part bas an alcoved 
precipice facing the nortb, which rises to a height of 2,500 feet above the sea. 
Thus, such precipices are rather the rule in the Hawaiian group, and if seashore 
erosion is not the origin, fractures and subsidence must be. 

Dana's view of the causes of the abrupt topography on the eastern 
coast of Oahu has been disputed by C. H. Hitchcock,^ who believes 
that the action of erosion is sufficient to account for it. There is no 
doubt that deep canyons with very steep walls and almost perpen- 
dicular precipices near the heads of the water courses are most char- 
acteristic among the forms of erosion on the windward side of the 
island, and that, therefore, some caution must be exercised in dis- 
criminating precipices of erosion from those of fault scarps. How- 
ever, in the case of Molokai, Dana's statement is undoubtedlj^ true; 
the great pali is most certainly a fault scarp of magnificent size. 

The low peninsula of Kalaupapa, the only land of importance at 
the foot of the cliff, seems to be a part of this sunken area, still above 

«1890, p. 290, &Bull. Geol. Soc. Am., Vol. n, 1899, p. 33, 



14 WATER RESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

water. A crater and several lava streams still remain on this penin- 
sula and are better preserved than most of those on the south side. 
The gently sloping summit plateau does not contain, as far as known, 
any remaining craters, but it is covered by extremely thick vegeta- 
tion and few parts of it are accessible. N'umerous smaller subcraters 
or parasitic cones remain, imperfectly preserved, on the long southern 
slope of the island. They generally have flat tops — the crater fun- 
nels being filled in — and intense red or j^ellow colors due to thermal 
action on the lavas. Such are Middle Hill, Puu, Luahine, Kakalahale, 
Maninibolo, and many others. 

Similar in general to the other islands, the rocks of Molokai consist 
almost exclusively of dark basaltic, fine-grained lavas of more or less 
porous structure. The flows are thin, and range from a few feet up to 
50 feet in thickness, but rarely exceed the latter limit. Laterally the 
flows are ordinarily not continuous over a great distance, hence expo- 
sures or wells only a few hundred feet apart may show very differing 
sections. Harder, more compact lavas alternate with exceedingly 
porous, loose breccias or agglomerates. The deepest parts of the 
gulches, the well sections, and the palis at Waikolu, Pelekunu, and 
Wailau all show the same structure, clearly indicating that the island 
has been built up by rapidlj^ succeeding thin lava flows. The probabil- 
ity is very strong that this same structure and the same kinds of rocks 
continue down to a depth of several thousand feet. No petrographic 
study of the rocks has been undertaken, but a few thin sections make 
it evident that the rocks chiefly consist of normal felds]3ar basalt, 
somewhat glassy, and with olivine, occasionally also containing pheno- 
crysts of soda-lime feldspars. Thus far the only kinds of rocks recog- 
nized by petrographers in the Hawaiian Islands are of the type of 
feldspar basalts, with occasional occurrences of nepheline-basalts or 
nepheline-melilite-basalts. In exploring the headwaters of Wailau, 
in the very heart of the dissected volcano of Molokai, however, an 
interesting occurrence of coarse-grained intrusive rock was found. 
Crossing the gap north of Mapulehu one descends over a precipice 
leading down to the valley of Wailau over a difficult and almost dan- 
gerous trail, which finally follows the bed of the east fork down to its 
junction with the larger west fork. Down to the Junction only ordi- 
nary basaltic rocks are met with, but the west fork is full of heavy 
bowlders of a dark-green, coarse, granular rock, manifestly different 
from anything formerly described from the islands. The rock was not 
found in place, nor was the west fork followed up to its source, where 
these bowlders must come from. Indeed, in the thick tropical jungle 
which covers the whole watershed of Wailau, this is a very serious 
undertaking, but there must be a large mass of this rock in place, too 
lai'ge to have been carried up by the eruption of the lavas, and there- 
fore it is most probably an intrusive body injected into the volcanic 
masses and there consolidated. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 77 PL. IV 




A. NORTH COAST OF MOLOKAI, LOOKING WEST FROM SUMMIT OF TRAIL TO 
LEPER SETTLEMENT. 

Showing summil; plateau and fault scarp, exposing a great number of basalt flows. Elevation 1 ,600 feet 

above sea level. 




B. NORTH COAST OF MOLOKAI, MOUTH OF WAILAU VALLEY, LOOKING EAST. 
Showing fault scarp 3,000 feet high and alcove type of eroded valleys. 



LiNDGRKN.] CORAL REEFS. 15 

Upon examination in tliin section the rock j)resents a normal coarse 
granular structure, without glass, and consists of broad laminse of a 
soda-lime feldspar not far from anorthite. Between these lie grains 
of a pale-violet, slightly pleochroic augite, with which are associated 
numerous grains of an iron ore. In addition, there are grains of 
olivine, slightly serpentinized, and in much smaller quantity than the 
augite. The rock is therefore a very coarse olivine-diabase. 

Mr. Monroe, the superintendent of Molokai ranch, gave me a small 
specimen of a somewhat similar but slightly more decomposed rock 
which he had broken from a large bowlder in one of the principal 
streams on Kauai, the most northerly of the large Hawaiian islands. 
This proved to be very similar to the rock just described, being a 
coarse-grained diabase. A remarkable feature of the rock from 
Kauai is the deep purplish color of the augite. It is onlj^ slightly 
pleochroic. 

These two coarse-grained rocks are the only occurrences of the kind 
thus far found in the Hawaiian Islands. 

Unlike Oahu, Molokai has no extensive flats of sediment soil under- 
lain by coral and tuffs. The sediments are chiefly confined to small 
strips and areas of less than 200 acres, and occur at intervals, especially 
near the mouths of the gulches along the south coast from Palaau to 
Pukoo. The soil is ordinarily, at no great depth, underlain by basaltic 
lava. Rarely is there a thin layer of coral rock between the soil and 
the lava rock. 

The gap or the space between the two volcanoes which make up the 
island is of a rolling character and is covered by soil. A considerable 
part of this gap is covered by sediment soil, fine red soil, and well- 
rolled gravel, mixed. This sediment is doubtless chiefly carried down 
from the east side, and antedates the time when the volcano was split 
in two and the northern half engulfed in the sea. 

As maybe expected, the extremely steep gulches from Kawela east- 
ward have brought down big fields of bowlders from the slopes above 

(PL n, B). 

CORAL REEFS. 

A coral reef from one-half to 1 mile wide fringes practically the 
whole southern coast of the island. The parts adjacent to the main 
gulches are gradually being filled up by mud. Thus, the island is 
gradually growing out in this direction. Seen from a high point, the 
reddish mud flats skirting the shore contrast strongly against the 
brilliant emerald green of the reef; and beyond this is the dark violet- 
blue color of the deep sea. 

Small amounts of coral rock, indicating a former higher water level, 
are found all along the southern coast; usually these on\j reach 25 
feet above water level, though in one place — near Puu Maninibolo — 



16 WATER RESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

this old coral reef extends up to 130 feet above the sea. The submer- 
gence was evidently of short duration. 

The coral sand carried up by the waves forms a very narrow fringe 
all along the southern coast. A large dune wall of coral sand, about 
12 feet high, skirts the western coast at Papohaku iiats. 

Though the coral reefs on the northern or windward side are not 
extensive, a very large area of dune sand occurs north of the gap and 
extends for several miles westward, having a width as great as 4,000 
feet. The locality is particularly exposed to the full force of the 
trade winds, and the sand is carried up to the top of a 500-foot hill, 
where it accumulates in dunes which reach a thickness of 20 feet. 
Westward the sands finally reach the two creeks emptying near Papo- 
haku, from which repositories the winter floods carry them down to 
the sea. Part of these dunes are consolidated to hard sandstones. 
In some of these are seen peculiar footprints which are similar to, 
and yet somewhat different from, the imprint of a human foot. There 
are also many obviouslj^ recent inscrijDtions, etc. , and, as the Hawaiians 
are not altogether averse to a practical joke, the real character of these 
footprints may as yet be left an open question. 

CLIMATE. 

In regard to temperature, the island possesses the same equable cli- 
mate as that enjoyed by the others of the same group; frost i^robably 
never occurs, even at the highest elevations. The trade winds are 
strong, especially during the winter months and on the northern 
coast. Duiing long periods it is impossible to effect a landing at the 
settlements of Wailau and Pelekunu. Even along the south coast 
the winds are usually strong in the afternoon, and over the bare west 
end, or Kaluakoi, and over the gap the breezes sweep without hin- 
drance. There is in general a wet season, extending from October 
until the end of May, and a dry season including the summer months. 
On the whole, the west end, the gap, and the south shore as far as 
Kamalo are included in the arid zone of the island, while the whole 
northeasterly part may be counted as one of abundant precipitation. 
All points over 2,500 feet in elevation receive an abundant rainfall. 
Most of this falls in the winter, but showers occur at intervals all 
through the summer. Accurate data regarding rainfall extending 
over any considerable period are not obtainable. 

Data collected by Dr. Morritz at Mapulehu, on the southern coast 
and the eastern part of the island, from 1894 to July, 1899, show an 
average annual precipitation of 34 inches with but little variation 
and no apparent decrease. The maximum precipitation is usually in 
December, with as much as 6 inches, while the minimum monthly 
precipitation in the summer is 1 inch. 

At Kaunakakai no records have been kept except for a mouth or 



LINDGREN.] 



CLIMATE. 



17 



two in 1900, but it is apparent that the rainfall decreases rapidly west 
of Mapulehu. The probable annual rainfall at Kaunakakai does not 
exceed 10 inches, thus indicating a very dr}^ climate. About 2 inches 
are said to have fallen in January, 1900. About 0.6 of an inch fell 
April 24, 1900, while since that time, up to July 1, 1900, there were 
only slight showers at great intervals; a little rain fell June 23, and 
again a little on June 27 and 28. 

There are indications that the rainfall at Palaau, on the south side 
of the gap, is somewhat larger than at Kaunakakai, and this is, indeed, 
to be expected, for its position is more open to the northeasterly trade 
winds. On the north side of the gap precipitation is still further 
increased, as is indicated by the strong growth of grass, remaining 
green up to June 1. 

At Molokai ranch, at an elevation of 850 feet and only a short dis- 
tance from the gap, records have been kept by Messrs. Schleifer and 
Monroe since January, 1899, with the following results: 



Rainfall at Molokai ranch. 



Month. 


1899. 


1900. 


January . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ 


Inches. 
2 

3.75 
3 

1.90 
.50 

(«) 

(«) 

(«) 

(«) 

1.23 

1.29 

1.71 


Inches. 
2.69 


February . . . __ . . 


4.14 


March _ __ __ __ _ _. 


1.86 


April .- -- _-_. _._ . 


5.80 


May - . . . ■ 


.83 


June . - - --- - - -- 


2 


July : 




August - - -- - -- - - 




September _ _ . . . _ _ . 




October _ _ . 




November _. _ ._ . 




December . _ * 










Total recorded 


15.38 









<i No record. 

The figures for 1898-99 are incomplete. The season was one of 
great deficiency in rainfall, and this dry winter was followed by an 
exceptionally dry summer. The total for the rainy season 1899-1900 
is 20.55 inches, indicating an annual rainfall at this place of about 22 
inches. 

At Meyer's ranch, at an elevation of 1,400 feet, about 2 miles 
northeast of Molokai ranch, records were kept for some time by Mr. 
R. W. Meyer, but I have only been able to obtain those ot 1891. 
This year was, as the records show, an exceptionally dry one on Oahu 
and Maui. At Honolulu 23 inches fell that year against a normal 
rainfall of 38 inches. It is believed that the latter figure represents 
the normal rainfall at Meyer's ranch. 

lER 77—03 2 



18 WATEE EESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

Precipitation in 1891 at Meyer's ranch. 

Inches. 

January ... 7.65 

February, . 3. 28 

March .36 

April . ^ . 4.35 

May - 1.63 

June None. 

July ISTone. 

August ■ None. 

September None. 

October 4.40 

November. . .20 

December _ 1. 26 

Total . 23.13 

Above an elevation of 2,000 feet in this part of the island almost 
daily showers occurred from April 1 to May 28, 1900, and this is prob- 
ably the normal condition during the winter months. Dry and warm 
weather prevailed from Maj^ 28 to June 8, when light showers fell. 
Again, on June 23, 26, and 27 there was a considerable amount of 
rainfall. 

Regarding the quantity of rainfall in the mountains there is scant 
information. The annual precipitation probably reaches 100 inches 
at elevations of 3,000 and 4,000 feet and is not far from this amount 
over a considerable area on the north slope on the headwaters of 
Waikolu, Pelekunu, and Wailau. 

It has been asserted that the rainfall on Molokai is decreasing. As 
far as the data go there is nothing to prove such an assertion. It 
is no doubt true that the island formerly supported a much denser 
population; this is indicated, for instance, by many old garden 
patches at streams which are now dry or carry water only intermit- 
tently. All this is, however, most probably directly chargeable to 
the destruction of the forests and the following irregularity or disap- 
pearance of the water supply. 

SOILS. 

The soils of Molokai are similar to those of the other islands of the 
Hawaiian group and are usually of great fertility. They may be 
divided into residual and sedimentary soils. 

The residual soils result from the gradual decomposition of the 
basaltic lavas and are usually deep red, very rich in iron and in sub- 
stances necessary for plant growth. 

The sedimentary soils are partly of a deep-red color, partly dark 
brown, and not very different in character from the residual soils; 
they consist, in fact, of the same substance merely transported and 
redeposited. In a few places along the immediate coast line are 
small areas covered bj' coral sand, consisting largely of carbonate of 
lime, usually more or less mixed with detritus from the hills. 



LINDGBEN.] SOILS. 19 

The west end of the island contains a veiy great amount of good, 
smooth land, with excellent soil. In fact, the larger part of Kalnakoi 
is of this character, excepting the southern slope of the long ridge 
extending from Mauna Loa to the light-house, the extreme northern 
and western portion, and the steep slope extending from Mauna Loa 
northward to the sea. The soil is residual in character. Unfortu- 
nately there is no feasible way of bringing water on this part of the 
island. It is at present used for sheep ranches and cattle range, 
being covered by a fine growth of nutritious grasses. 

The finest body of agricultural land on the island is situated in the 
great gap, and has an area of about 14,000 acres. The principal 
problem of the water supply of the island is how to bring the water 
from that part which receives an abundant precipitation to this arid 
portion containing the rich soils. This area of gently rolling hills is 
covered by a deep-red soil unexcelled for purposes of sugar growing. 
To a great extent it is a sediment soil, as shown, for instance, along 
the western plantation fence near Mauna Loa Creek, where it follows 
the cane planted January, 1900. At this place a depth of from 20 to 
30 feet of fine soil and disintegrated washed gravels is observed, rest- 
ing on basaltic lava. This formation no doubt underlies a large por- 
tion of the cane lands. A part, however, of the eastern area on the 
rising hills is covered by residual soil derived from rock in place. 

On the south shore there is a strip of low cane land near the coast 
at Palaau, but the main body of deep soil does not begin until an ele- 
vation of about 200 feet is reached. The total area of cane land at 
Palaau, below an elevation of 50 feet, is 374 acres. 

Above an elevation of 800 feet, on the east side of the gap, there is, 
between the deeply incised canyons, a considerable amount of smooth 
land covered by grass and underlain by rich soil; but besides being 
cut up these areas are, by reason of their elevation, less suited for 
sugar cane, though well adapted for other crops. Thus, at an eleva- 
tion of 1,400 feet, on the Meyer ranch, coffee is successfully cultivated 
in shady places without irrigation. 

East of this point the island contains a relatively small amount of 
economically valuable soils. On the south coast the rocky slopes 
reach almost to the sea, leaving only in places narrow fringes of level 
land. On the north side the mountains, as indicated above, are very 
precipitous, and there is no arable land except small patches along 
the coast at the mouths of the rivers. 

At high elevations the rock is, as a rule, much decomposed and 
retains water much better than do the stony slopes lower down. In 
the high swamps the mud is rarely over 2 feet deep, and solid, though 
decomposed rock comes frequently to the surface. The color of the 
soil in the swamps is grayish or white, showing that only ferrous oxide, 
produced by the reducing influences of organicacids, is present. After 
the swamps have dried up and the trees and ferns die, as has happened 



20 WATER EESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

over large areas in the high central parts of the island, this ferrous 
oxide under the influence of the air rapidly changes to ferric oxide. 
This forms a dark-red, hard-pan area on the surface which is very- 
detrimental to young plants just rooting. This compact, dark-red soil 
is really an iron ore. A sample examined by Dr. E. T. Allen contained 
43. 88 per cent of metallic iron. This is one of the reasons why the refor- 
esting of dried swampy areas is such a slow and difficult process. 

For some distance east of Palaau there is a strip of sediment land 
along the coast containing 110 acres. Toward the sea this is joined 
b}^ a salt marsh and toward the north by a rocky slope, which in part, 
however, can be planted. Near the cocoanut grove, 1:^ miles west of 
Kaunakakai, are 150 acres of excellent level soil underlain by 5 to 10 
feet of coral which again rests on solid lava. At Kaunakakai about 
100 acres of level rich soil are available. Between Kawela and 
Kaunakakai is a narrow strip of soil — mostly coral sand — which is 
covered by a thick growth of algarobas. At Kawela there is a consid- 
erable extent of sandy soil, practically all of which belongs to small 
native holdings. At Kamalo again several hundred acres of good 
soil are available, and from this place to the east point of the island 
a number of more or less extensive flats follow the coast, many of 
which are cultivated on a small scale. The lower part of the valleys 
of Halawa, Wailau, Pelekunu, and Waikolu contains a small amount 
of lands chiefly devoted to the growing of taro on a small scale. 

VEGETATION. 

In regard to vegetation, the soutliern side of the island may be 
separated in several zones. There is first the immediate coast fringe, 
distinguished by cocoa palms and algarobas; the barren zone; the 
belt of the grass lands ; and finally the high forests. 

The southern coast is fringed b}^ a narrow, bright-green zone of 
thick and luxuriant algaroba trees (a variety of mesquit) which 
furnishes excellent firewood. The abundant bean pods of the tree are 
used as forage for cattle and horses. This strip is onlj^ a few hundred 
feet wide, but extends from Kawela Creek, almost without interruption, 
to a point a few miles west of Palaau. The western coast supports 
at Papohaku a few small and stunted groves of the same tree; the 
northern and eastern coast is too humid to permit the growth of this 
essentially arid-land tree. Occasionallj^ near springs at the seashore, 
the lahale trees appear, with clumps of bare trunks and palm-like tufts 
of leaves. This produces a fiber used for the manufacture of hats, 
etc. There is a large cocoanut grove one mile west of Kaunakakai. 
Few groves of this palm are planted east of this on the southerii coast, 
though many places are excellently adapted for this purpose. Big- 
thickets- of the obnoxious weed Lautania grow on the coast near 
Kawela. 



MNDGREN.] VEGETATION. . 21 

The barren zone of rough lava bowlders, with only a few bushes 
adapted to a dry climate, extends along the south coast, from the 
western point of the island to beyond Kamalo on the east. At Palaau 
it reaches an altitude of 200 feet; at Kaunakakai, 1,000 feet; and at 
Kawela, 2,000 feet. Toward Mapulehu the grasses reach sea level. 

The pasture lands are covered by a thick carpet of manania (a 
variety of Bermuda grass) or delicate tufted Pele grass. Above a 
certain elevation (about 500 feet on the west end) these give way to 
annual grasses. Almost the whole of Kaluakoi, or the west end, is 
covered by pasture land; likewise the gap, excepting the arid strip 
near Palaau. Both of these areas are practically treeless. During 
the arid season the grass dries up. In the creeks and canyons east of 
the gap are found groups of kukui trees, with their smooth trunks 
and yellowish-green foliage bright with an almost silvery sheen. 
This is also called the candle tree, on account of producing a nut 
rich in oil. Many of these groups show signs of damage by cattle. 

Isolated wili-wili trees are also noted, with their coral red bean and 
peculiar habit of shedding their leaves in the summer. Scattered cac- 
tus trees and hau bushes complete the meager flora of this zone. The 
.finest and healthiest groves of kukui trees are found in the different 
branches of Meyers Creek above Meyer's ranch at elevations of about 
1,000 feet. Parasitical ferns grow in profusion on the tree trunks. 
Papaia trees and coffee bushes do well wherever planted in these shaded 
canyons. 

As the elevations increase, the grassy ground gradually becomes 
more swampy. Near Meyer's ranch the pastures are diversified by 
thick bushes of wild guavas, and ferns grow luxuriantly in the little 
gulches. Going upward from Meyer's ranch over swampy pastures 
and partlj^ decayed forests, sometimes crossing little canyons thick 
with a growth of ferns, one is suddenly and unexpectedly stojDped by 
the great precipice, the northern pali, here descending abruptly 1,500 
feet to the sea, and showing along its steep escarpment the broken 
succession of the dark lava flows (PL IV, A). Far below, a silvery 
white fringe of breakers marks the shore. A rocky peninsula extends 
at the foot of the pali, and on its western side we notice a prosperous- 
looking town with regular streets and white cottages. Several 
churches and larger buildings are also seen, and many of the houses 
are surrounded by bright green gardens. This is the leper settlement 
of Molokai. A steep and somewhat dangerous trail leads down to the 
town. The inmates of the settlement are not allowed south of the pali, 
and at the little gate at the summit of the trail the unfortunates con- 
fined in the settlement often meet their friends. 

In this vicinity the forests begin at an elevation of 2,500 feet, but 
the trees are in poor condition and on large areas are dying. It should 
be observed that all forests on this island grow on swampy ground. 
Open forests with trees growing on dry ground do not exist. The 



22 WATER RESOURCES OE MOLOKAl. [no. W. 

lehua, a myrtaceous tree, in several varieties is most abundant. It 
has dark-green foliage and bright-red flowery tassels during the spring 
months. The height is usually up to 30 to 40 feet. More common 
on the north slope is the ohia or mountain apple, and the koa with 
its exceiJtionally hard wood. Around the moss-covered roots, fre- 
quently branching above ground, cluster the thick ului ferns {Glau- 
chenia), and intermingled with the lehuas rise thepulu ferns ( Cibotium) 
with their widespreading fronds up to 15 feet high. The whole is 
interwoven with a mass of tough eea vines (a kind of Pandanus or 
climbing screw pine) to a thicket which usually is almost impenetrable 
except along the beaten trails. 

From Meyers Lake to east of Kaulahuki the forests, once said to be 
thick and healthy, are in a decaying condition. Kalamaula swamp 
is now partly dried. Around Kaulahuki extends a comparatively dry 
high plateau, and the peak itself is easily accessible. Going up over 
this plateau, rolling, grassy, and cut by sharply eroded little canyons, 
one comes suddenly to the great alcove canyon of Waikolu. The 
plateau is cut off sharply as with a knife; the eye sweeps down the 
black abyss of the precipices of the Upper Waikolu, and then down 
the V-shaped canyon to the sea. Narrow streams of water descend 
the faces like silvery threads on a black background. But at every 
place where there is a possibilitj^ of foothold a rank vegetation covers 
the rocks, and where the walls become a little less abrupt there is a 
solid area of dark- green foliage. At the brink of the canyon the 
mornings are often calm and clear, but before noon the sky and the 
sea mingle in one hazy bank and the strong trades drive dripping 
mists and intermittent showers over the swampy highlands. 

A short distance east of Kaulahuki the horse trail ends and the 
whole country is covered by thick, healthy vegetation. Above Kawela 
the forests formerly descended far below Kolekole hill to an eleva- 
tion of 3,000 feet. In its normal healthy condition the forest now 
extends along a width of only one-half mile on the southern slope. 
Traversing this thick swamp, clambering over slimy, moss-covered 
roots, and wading through deep mud, one suddenly emerges on the 
Pelekunu pali at an elevation of 4,500 feet. From this point can be 
seen the whole of Pelekunu drainage and part of Wailau, a green, 
impenetrable wilderness bordered by nearly perpendicular cliffs. 
Trails are said to cross the island into Waikolu and Pelekunu, but 
they are dangerous and difficult. 

From Mapulehu an exceedingly bad though not particularly dan- 
gerous trail leads over into Wailau. Guided by Mr. Theodore Meyer 
I ascended the steep grassy slopes from Mapulehu to a more gently 
sloping path between narrow canyons, along which kukui, wild 
orange, and guava grow in pi'ofusion. We made camp at the edge 
of the forest 1,550 feet above Mapulehu. The next morning at sun- 
rise a magnificent view was obtained of Ilaleakala, Maui's great 



LiNDGRKN.] CAUSES OF DECEEASE OE' FOREST. 23 

volcano, with its gigantic crater, seemingly only a few miles distant, 
but within a short time the usual clouds again hid the summit of the 
mountain. The track now enters the forest and ascends 1,200 feet 
in 1 mile, through lehua roots and mud, to Wailau Gap, which has 
the comparatively low elevation of 2,750 feet. The forest seems 
healthy, but Mr. Meyer states that it is much more open than for- 
merly, probably due to grazing of cattle. In this part of the island 
there are, however, few cattle compared to the number kept in the west- 
ern part. From the summit the extensive view over Wailau Valley 
reveals the same impenetrable sea of dark-green forest relieved by 
bright patches of wild bananas and kukui groves. Over slippery 
moss-covered rocks the trail descends 2,000 feet in 1 mile to the east 
fork, which may be followed for half a mile, by wading through water 
or jumping from rock to rock, down to the junction of the two forks, 
at an elevation of about 600 feet. Some distance before the east fork 
is reached we passed an abandoned kuliana, or native settlement, with 
a taro patch and a few exceedingly welcome orange trees. 

The Wailau is a comparatively large stream, and its waters rush with 
torrential force in the narrow canyon. There is no further cultivated 
ground until near the mouth of the river, where considerable taro is 
grown and sent over by steamer to the leper settlement, partly whole, 
partly crushed to so-called ' ' paiai " and packed in ti leaves. PL III, B, 
represents the native crew of the little steamer Mokolii engaged in 
loading paiai. We returned the same day to the camp above Mapu- 
lehu. The excursion makes an extremely arduous day's work. 

CAUSES OF DECREASE OF FOREST AREA. 

Many theories have been advanced as explanations of the decay of 
the forest. It has been attributed to cattle, deer, and goats, to 
decrease of rainfall, and to a disease of the trees. 

It is evidently true that for many years the island has been over- 
stocked, especially the good pastures at higher elevations, and it can 
easily be understood how the damage to the trees is effected. The 
cattle do not kill the trees directly, but they destroy the thick growth 
of ferns and grass which protects the roots and which is evidently 
essential to the life of the lehua tree. They also eat the young trees 
just coming up from seed. This has assuredly been the most promi- 
nent cause. But in many canyons where cattle scarcely can find their 
way, as well as in some parts of the swamps near the Pelekunu pali, 
the lehua trees are also dying, which indicates that the tree is besides 
suffering from some insect or fungus. The deer do less harm than 
the cattle, but it may nevertheless be well to keep their number 
within reasonable limits. In lower elevations goats abound, whicli 
should be removed as thoroughly as possible, for they completely 
destroy the already scant vegetation. Sheep have lately been con- 
fined to the western end (Kaluakoi), which seems most suited to them. 



24 v^^ATER EESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

^ All in all, I believe that the cattle, in part aided by the disease 
referred to, are responsible for the decay of the forests and that it is 
not necessary to assume any material changes in climate. As men- 
tioned, there is no such decay noticeable at Mapulehu, where very 
few cattle have been pastured. In consequence of the drying up of 
the swamps, the rainfall runs off rapidlj^ and the streams become more 
intermittent and torrential in character, as indeed is very clearly 
marked in the case of Kawela. To remedy these conditions, I can 
only suggest the exclusion of cattle and other fern -destroying ani- 
mals from the upper mountain region, which may cause the swamp 
ferns and lehuas to grow up again. The hard pan mentioned on page 
20 is a serious obstacle to reforestation. Planting certain areas of 
land below the swamps by eucaljqittus, acacia, or Monterey cypress 
would remedy matters to some extent. 

FAUNA. 

As well known, the native Hawaiian land fauna is exceedingly 
scant. A number of small birds inhabit the forests. Excepting a 
few centipedes, the objectionable insects are few in number. Many 
varieties of tree snails are found, often of beautiful color and deli- 
cate shell sculpture. More species of these are said to occur on 
Molokai than on adjacent islands. 

The introduced animals are deer, goats, and cattle. The deer are 
of the spotted Japanese variety and have multiplied rapidh^, so 
rapidly, indeed, that it has been found necessarj^ to attempt to reduce 
their numbers, as they do considerable damage to the vegetation. 
Their principal range is on the high plateaus a few miles east of 
Meyer's ranch at the edge of the forest. The goats have likewise 
proved a nuisance, and it is difficult to keep in check their rapidlj^ 
growing numbers. They chiefly range, practically wild, over the arid 
portion of the southern slope. It is surprising to observe their 
gymnastic performances w^hen a band of them is scattered browsing 
on the ledges of canyon cliffs which a casual observer would pro- 
nounce perpendicular. The sheep kept on the Molokai ranch are 
chiefly confined to the western end of the island. Most of the cattle 
are noAv kept on Molokai ranch, including the west end, the gap, and 
a part of the southern slope as far as Kawela. Some of them run 
almost wild, but attempts are made to reduce that number, and also 
to keep them off the high forest areas. The island has been heavily 
overstocked with cattle, but the number is now reduced. East of 
Kawela there are comparatively few. For a limited number the 
western half of the island is a most excellent range. 

CULTURE. 

Tradition has it that in former days Molokai supported a far greater 
number of inhabitants than at present, and, further, that the forest 
covered much greater areas, even occupying part of the now treeless 
west end of the island. While, as explained above, it is doubtful 



LINDGREN.] CULTURE. 25 

whether the rainfall has decreased, it is certain that with the destruc- 
tion of much of the forest areas an equalizing element of much impor- 
tance has been eliminated. From one end of the island to the other 
the coast abounds in stone fences and heiaus or square inclosures of 
stone connected with the worship of the gods. Evidences of old cul- 
tivation are apparent at a number of now arid places. Abandoned 
farms are found in the valley of Wailau ; on the Pelekunu, a mile or 
two from the coast, old abandoned plantations of pineapples were 
lioted. Such cultivation as now may be carried on by the natives is 
shiftless and imperfect. Taro is raised in the Lower Wailau and 
Pelekunu. Rice fields are cultivated by Chinese at intervals along 
the southern coast. A few small cocoanut groves are planted, but 
there is only one large grove, near Kaunakakai, said to have been 
planted by Kamehameha V. Small scattered kulianas contain a few 
oranges, mangoes, and papaias. On the whole, it is clear that with 
Ijroper care and industry the island could support a far greater 
number of i)eople than dwell on it at xDresent. To some extent this 
undesirable state of affairs is doubtless due to the consolidation of 
properties into larger holdings for prospective sugar cultivation. But 
there is also a decided tendenc}^ of the natives to sell their small hold- 
ings and to move away to centers like Honolulu. The ranch of the 
Meyer Brothers, located about 5 miles north of Kaunakakai, shows 
what can be done even with comparatively small holdings when intel- 
ligent care is applied. Cattle are raised here, as well as some coffee 
and other products. 

The population of the island aggregates about 2,400; but over 
1,000 of this number are located in the leper settlement on the north- 
ern coast, established in 1865 and embracing about 8,000 acres. Of 
the remainder, several hundred are probably Japanese laborers, as the 
census was taken in 1900, when there were many of this class at Kau- 
nakakai and Kamalo, so that there would remain only about 1,000 peo- 
ple scattered at Pelekunu, Wailau, Halawa, and the southern coast 
as far west as Kawela, for along the real arid part of the coast there 
are but few inhabitants. The total assessed value of Molokai was 
only $250,000 in 1897. In 1900 this figure had increased to about 
1686,000, due to the projects for sugar plantation advanced that year. 
In 1901, after the partial failure of these attempts, the assessed value 
decreased to $427,000. The Molokai Ranch Company, a corporation, 
controls the larger part of the lands on the western part of the island 
as far east as Kawela, and make a successful business of raising cattle 
and sheep on the extensive grass lands. 

The American Sugar Company, closely connected with the Molokai 
Ranch Company, began operations in 1898 and 1899, controlling 
nearly the whole of the rich body of land in the gap, and the coast as 
far east as Kawela. It was proposed to bore for water at Kaunaka- 
kai, where 10,000,000 gallons per twenty-four hours (15.47 cubic feet 



26 WATER "RESOUIICES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

per second) were expected, and to raise this by means of pumps to an 
elevation of 400 feet to a ditch conveying it to the cane lands below 
the 350-foot level. It was further intended to obtain 20,000,000 gal- 
lons (30.94 cubic feet per second) 1 mile east of Kaunakakai and con- 
duct it to a point 2^ miles away, where the water was to be lifted 500 
feet to a short ditch conveying it to the lowest point of the gap, 
whence it could be distributed on both slopes. Eighty acres of seed 
cane were planted on the Kaunakakai flats and irrigated from a well 
giving 1,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (1.55 cubic feet per 
second). The failure of the Kaunakakai wells to produce the 
amount expected caused a change in the plans. It was decided to 
bore wells at the mouth of Kawela Gulch and raise the water about 
70 feet to a cement-lined aqueduct, which should convey it to the 
high-lift pump mentioned above. Here, too, however, the quantity 
obtainable at one point seemed insufficient, and difficulty was experi- 
enced in avoiding contamination by salt water. Attempts were also 
made to find water by deep borings. In 1900 the company decided 
to abandon operations for the time being, and thus the problem how 
to obtain water for the rich sugar lands at the gap still remains 
unsolved. 

The Kamalo Sugar Company controls the coast from Kamalo to 
Mapulehu. In this distance there are a number of smaller flats 
aggregating a considerable area. It was proposed to utilize these for 
sugar cane by wells bored along the coast and raised to a ditch about 
70 feet above sea level. A small area of sugar cane for seed was 
planted at Kamalo and irrigated by means of a permanent small 
stream at the head of Kamalo Gulch. The water was taken out a 
short distance east of Kolekole Peak and temporarily conducted 
down in a ditch along the ridge. As Kamalo Gulch often contains 
running water, it was also proposed to utilize this source. 

WATEK STJPPJLY. 

GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 

The fundamental law governing the water supply is that the only 
source of fresh water is the rainfall. A jDart of this rainfall is carried 
off by evaporation, another part by the streams, while a third and 
largest part sinks into the ground and gradually finds its way to the 
ground water, which permanently saturates the rocks below a certain 
level. 

But on this small island, built up of extremely porous rocks, and sur- 
rounded by salt water, peculiar conditions result. In the absence of 
any impermeable stratum or basins filled b}^ clayey material, such as, 
for instance, exist on Oahu, there is nothing to prevent the sea water 
from penetrating the rocks freely and assuming a level differing but 
little from the sea level. Below a certain level there is indeed no 
reason to expect anything but salt water. 



LiNDGREN.i GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF WATER SUPPLY. 27 

On the other hand, the rain water also sinks freely through the 
porous rocks until it meets the sea water. Here, at the permanent water 
level, it is held b}^ the counter pressure of the sea water, and in fact 
rests like a sheet on the same. Between the underlying salt water 
and the fresh water on top of it there is an intermediate zone of vary- 
ing width in which the two mingle to form brackish water. The fresh 
water, always receiving additions from above, is slowly but steadily 
moving to the only outlet it can find— that is, to the springs located 
along the sea shore, just above or a little below sea level. 

The surface of salt water is, apparently, near the coast on the south 
side of the island, about 160 feet below the surface of the ground. 
Inland this level sinks, and is also doubtless deeper on the north than 
on the south coast. The permanent surface of fresh water rises inland 
very slowly, so that a mile or more inland the water in wells ma}^ 
stand only a foot or two above sea level. Only at Kawela, a few hun- 
dred feet from the coast line, is the water level from 2 to 3 feet above 
mean sea level, and in this place a more abundant underground water 
supply is found than at any other point west of it. This generally 
low level of ground water is a distinctly unfavorable sign, pointing to 
small precipitation and water supply. 

The one feature favorable to the percolation of the water to the 
southern coast line is that the lava beds all slope in this direction — 
that is, toward Palaau, Eaunakakai, and Kawela — thus to some extent 
guiding the water in this direction. 

On the north coast the permanent water level is much higher, as 
indicated by the number of strong springs coming out at elevations 
of from 300 to 500 feet above sea level. 

Above the surface of the ground water there may be some move- 
ment of water in cracks and fissures, but there is no permanent and 
abundant supply, certainly not on the south slope. Thus, tunneling 
on this slope is not apt to develop any considerable amount of water, 
though it may open some small fissures in which water circulates. 
As a matter of fact, very little water has been developed bj^ the several 
tunnels driven near springs at higher elevations. If it were possible 
to drive a tunnel with very slight grade from sea level or from near 
the same, such an opening might develop a considerable amount of 
ground water; but this would be attended with many difficulties. 

There is considerable irregularity in the amount of water available 
below the ground-water level. The porosity of the rock changes very 
rapidly; open, loose agglomerates are laterally adjoined by hard, 
much more impervious basalts. Further, the drainage conditions 
vary, the ground-water surface rising higher in one place than in 
another; thus in closely adjoining wells there maybe great difference 
in the amount of water available from the same level. 

The water from the flowing streams and from the springs emerging 
at high elevations contains practically no chloride of sodium, this 
being the only saline constitutent necessary to consider. 



28 WATER BESOURCES OF MOLOKAl. [^o.Hit. 

In the ground water along tlie coast the salinity is decidedlj^ higher 
except where the ground water is mingled with water sinking from 
intermittent streams. The salinit}^ increases with the distance from 
the center of maximum precipitation. Thus, at Palaau the water 
contains 90 grains, at Kaunakakai 50 grains, and at Kawela 25 grains 
per gallon. 

In the following pages the available water resources will be described 
under the head of springs, streams, and wells. 

SPRINGS. 

The springs coming out on the southern slope of the island may be 
divided in three classes: First, those emerging at sea level. These 
are very numerous, and often, by reason of their vicinity to seashore, 
more salty than the normal ground water. Second, those appearing 
at elevations from 1,000 to 2,500 feet. Between the sea level and 
1,000 feet no permanent springs appear, at least not west of Kamalo. 
Third, those of the summit region feeding the j)ermanent streams. 
These will be mentioned under the heading of "Running streams." 

On the north coast sx)rings are more numerous and larger and 
emerge at any elevation. Strong springs appear in the Wailau and 
Pelekunu at from 300 to 600 feet above sea level. 

SPRINGS ON SEASHORE. 

No permanent springs are known on the whole north and west coast 
of Kaluakoi or the west end. A small spring has long been known 
to emerge on the south side of the ridge, near the summit, 2 miles 
east of the light-house, at at elevation of 180 feet, but it dried up in 
1898 and has not been running since. At Waiakane, well below high 
tide, a strong spring of fair water appears. 

The next important locality is Palaau. In the grass}' marsh below 
the deep well big springs come out for a distance of 700 feet. Many 
old taro patches indicate that this water has been used. One of these 
springs flowed about 60,000 gallons a day (0.09 cubic foot per sec- 
ond), and the aggregate flow must be large. A sample yielded 103 
grains of sodium chloride per gallon. On Naiwa, between Palaau 
and Halfway Camp, near a lone cocoanut tree, strong springs emerge 
from clefts in the basalt rock at the beach, 1 foot above high tide; 
the total visible flow may be as much as 170,000 gallons in twenty- 
four hours (0.26 cubic feet per second), and tlie salinity is 127 grains. 

Half way between Palaau and Kaunakakai again a number of 
smaller springs appear, with a salinity of 86 grains per gallon. Thej^ 
emerge 1 or 2 feet above high-tide level. 

The next locality is Cocoanut grove, 1 mile west of Kaunakakai, 
when very strong springs come out from the sand at the shore for a 
distance of 150 feet. The total flow is difficult to estimate, but it may 



UNDGREN.] SPRINGS. 29 

be over 200,000 gallons in 24 hours (0.31 cubic foot per second). The 
water contains 115 grains of sodium chloride per gallon. 

Near Kaunakakai there appear to be no springs of imiDortance, but 
1 mile eastward, close to the road, a strong spring comes out from the 
basaltic rock at the foot of a bluff, 1 foot above sea level. Flow, 
approximately 6,000 gallons in 24 hours (0.01 cubic foot per second). 
The water contains 76 grains sodium chloride per gallon. 

From this place to a point 1,000 feet east of Onini triangulation 
station no springs were seen at sea level, though wells find water at 
a depth of a few feet in most places, the sodium chloride in these 
amounting to about 115 grains. At the locality just mentioned a 
strong spring appears, and for a distance of several hundred feet jnuch 
water comes out along the beach. The total flow must exceed 200,000 
gallons in 24 hours (0.31 cubic foot per second). The sodium chlo- 
ride amounts to 72 grains per gallon. A little water comes out east 
of this point as far as the end of wall around the fish pond. Again, 
small springs appear at the kulianas, just west of the mouth of 
Kawela Gulch. All of these springs east of Onini are under water at 
high tide. 

The largest springs noted appear in the rice field east of Kawela 
Gulch, at the foot of a little bluff; they are 1.5 feet above sea level, 
and the aggregate volume of water measured by the discharge from 
the rice field is 450,000 gallons in 24 hours (0.70 cubic foot per second). 
The water contains 12 grains of sodium chloride per gallon. East of 
Kawela the coast was not examined in detail. Probably the coast 
springs continue all the way to Halawa and are fully as strong as at 
Kawela. 

HIGH-LEVEL SPRINGS. 

On the south slope, west of Kamalo, the springs issuing between 
1,000 and 2,400 feet above sea level are exceedingly few in number. 

The gulch heading north of Meyers at Puu Lua and emptying into 
the sea after flowing a few miles westward contains three springs. 
The principal one, at an elevation of 1,300 feet, yields at least 30,000 
gallons in twenty-four hours (0.05 cubic feet per second), has no salt, 
and on May 21 flowed on the surface for a distance of at least one-half 
mile. Water comes out for a distance of about 1,000 feet; at the head 
two short tunnels have been run into the side hill without increasing 
the flow. At this place there is a watering trough, but the spring is 
said to be apt to run dry toward the end of the dry season. Another 
small spring inclosed by a stone wall is found in the next gulch just 
below Puu Lua. Lower down in a tributary to the same gulch, at an 
elevation of 1,000 feet, a little permanent water trickles out from the 
side and supplies a watering trough. 

In the same vicinity, on Meyer's ranch, are two permanent springs. 
The first, 1,500 feet east of the trail to the leper settlement, at an ele- 
vation of 1,500 feet, yields continuously about 20,000 gallons in 



30 WATEE EESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

twenty-four hours (0.03 cubic feet per second). The second, devel- 
oped by a tunnel 300 feet long, drains toward Meyers Gulch and fur- 
nishes about 40,000 gallons (0.06 cubic feet per second), nearly all of 
which was developed by this tunnel. 

A well-defined spring is that of Kapuna, at an elevation of 1,630 
feet. This probably yields about 40,000 gallons (0.06 cubic feet i3er 
second), which is conveyed in a pipe line to the Molokai ranch. The 
water contains 3 grains of sodium chloride per gallon. It is perma- 
nent in all seasons according to reports. A short tunnel has been run 
in under the bottom of the gulch, but it failed to develop any addi- 
tional amount of water. 

In that branch of Luahine Gulch heading at Hunter's cabin, at the 
old wagon road leading up to the summit, a spring appears on the 
west side at an elevation of 2,400 feet, 30 feet above the bottom of 
the gulch. Its permanency is indicated by a bunch of wild bananas 
growing close by. The flow was measured on May 28, and was found 
to be about 77,000 gallons a day (0.12 cubic feet per second). The 
water is practically free from salt, but, according to reiDorts, it 
dwindles down to a fraction of this amount during the driest i^art of 
the season. A tunnel 800 feet long has been run in under the hill in 
a north-northeast direction below the Kalamaula Swamp, but very 
little additional water was developed. The water comes out from 
the side and roof for short distance, while the rest of the tunnel is 
simply moist, giving no flowing water. 

The only remaining spring at middle elevations is on Kawela, near 
its east boundary, in the gulch near Foster's mountain house, at an 
elevation of 2,500 feet. The water, which is pure and cold, amounted 
to 10,000 gallons a day (0.02 cubic feet per second), when visited, 
but the amount is less in very dry weather. From this point to 
Halawa no detailed examination has been made, but it is probable 
that springs are somewhat more frequent. At Mapulehu the swamj)y 
forests descend to 1,400 feet above the sea, and many springs are 
found at their lower edge. 

RUNNING STREAMS. 
STREAMS OP THE NORTH COAST. 

On Kaluakoi there are no permanent streams; the gulches contain 
water only for a short time after heavy rains. Mauna Loa Gulch, 
emptying near Palaau, is the only one in whose upper course a little 
water runs during the larger part of the rainy season. 

The gulches on the north coast west of the leper settlement are 
also dry except during heavy rains. The running streams to be con- 
sidered are as follows: On the north coast, Waihanau, Waialeia, 
Waikolu, Pelekunu, and Wailau; at the east point, llalawa; on the 
south slope: Meyers, Kaunakakai, Kawela, Kamalo, Max^ulchu, and 
Waialua gulches. 



LINDGREN.] STEEAMS. '61 

Waihanau. — The lower part of tlie Waihanau is a deep recess cut 
back from the pali, and over the edge of this recess, as indicated on 
the map, the stream flows in a series of falls. In the lower part of 
the valley the stream does not run during the summer. The upper 
part, Avhich alone is considered here, has a drainage area of only 
about one square mile, but receives a great deal of rain water. 
Swamps line its borders, and much water comes in from springs on 
the sides of the abrupt canyon in which it flows, and which has a 
depth of from 300 to 500 feet. The grade is about 100 feet in 2,000. 
In the upper portion the stream is permanent though low in the dry- 
est part of the season. I am informed by Mr. D. Center, the manager 
of the i^lantation at Kaunakakai, that when at its lowest stage the 
water will fill a 4-inch pipe lying nearly horizontal. This would 
correspond to about 80,000 gallons in twenty-four hours, (0.12 cubic 
feet per second). When visited on April 25, the_flow Avas about 
2,500,000 gallons a day (3.87 cubic feet per second), at an elevation 
of 2,046 feet. The weather was showery. On June 22, after three 
weeks of uninterrupted clear and warm weather, it flowed 1,500,000 
gallons (2.32 cubic feet per second). On June 25, during the begin- 
ning of showery weather which continued for three days, the flow 
was 8,500,000 gallons (13.15 cubic feet per second). These results 
were obtained, as all of the following, at places where the stream ran 
with slight grade above and fell over an easily measurable natural 
weir, and should be accurate within 10 per cent. I conclude that the 
stream can be relied on for 3,250,000 gallons per twenty-four hours 
(5.03 cubic feet per second) from November 1 to June 1, for 1,000,000 
gallons (1.55 cubic feet per second) from June 1 to August 1, and for 
at least 100,000 gallons (0.15 cubic foot per second) from August 1 to 
November 1. 

Waialeia. — This stream has formed a deep recess from the pali, 
shorter but wider than that of the Waihanau. Over the nearly per- 
pendicular wall of this recess it. falls in cascades. The water in the 
lower part of the valley sinks during the dry season. Only the uj)per 
part above the precipice is here considered; it forms a small canyon 
extending back for a mile to Puu Kaeo. The watershed is only one- 
half of a square mile, bat the supply is permanent, being fed by 
springs. 

During the driest part of the season it fllls, according to Mr. Center, 
a 2-inch pipe laid nearly horizontally. This would correspond to 
about 16,800 gallons in twenty- four hours. Measured May 24, dur- 
ing showery weather, at an elevation of 2,820 feet, a flow of 400,000 
gallons (0.62 cubic feet per second) was obtained, which may be taken 
to correspond to average flow from November 1 to June 1. 

Waikolu. — The Waikolu is a still larger and deeply cut canyon, 
surrounded near its head by almost perpendicular precipices, 2,000 
feet in height. From the summit region belonging to its drainage 
three streams fall in grand cascades over these precipices. The 



32 WATEE EESOUItCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

stream carries permanent water, wliich is used in the bottom of the 
valley for growing taro, the water rights of the lower part belonging 
to the leper settlement. 

The area drained by the western branch of the Upper Waikoln is 
only one-half of a square mile, but practically all of it is swampy 
lands, insuring a good supply, permanent, though small, even through 
the dry months. The stream has cut a small canyon about 300 feet 
deep in this swampy plateau. The water was measured at an eleva- 
tion of 3,645 feet on May 31, after three days of warm, clear weather 
following showery weather, which are practicalh^ normal conditions. 
The flow was 1,250,000 gallons (1.93 cubic feet per second), which may 
be accepted as the normal for the rainy season. The two other 
branches of the Waikolu head on the swampy, almost inaccessible 
plateau between Waikolu and Pelekunu. 

Pelekunu. — Like the others on the north coast, this stream has cut 
a deep, alcove-like recess from the pali along the coast, continuously 
surrounded by precipices from 2,000 to 3,000 feet high. The highest 
part of this precipice is toward Kawela, while a narrow backbone, 
with an elevation of 2,500 feet, separates it from the headwaters of 
the Wailau. The watershed has an area of 7 square miles. In its 
lower course the grade of the stream is about 100 feet per 2,000, but 
above elevations of 1,000 feet it becomes very steep. The whole area 
is covered by extremely dense vegetation of ferns, lehuas, kukui, eea 
vines, and in many places wild bananas and mountain apples. Many 
large springs swell the lower course of the Pelekunu, coming out at 
elevations of from 300 to 600 feet. At an elevation of 350 feet the 
stream forks, the west branch again forking above this at an elevation 
of 425 feet. 

On June 15 I visited the lower course of the river, ascending from 
the coast, there being no safe trail from the south side of the island 
to Pelekunu. The landing at Pelekunu is difficult, and on account 
of the heavy surf, practically impossible during the winter months. 
The weather for two weeks had been clear and warm, following a 
period of showers. The east branch of Pelekunu, measured at an 
elevation of 400 feet, contained 5,300,000 gallons (8.20 cubic feet per 
second). The middle or main branch, measured at an elevation of 
475 feet, contained 11,700,000 gallons (18.10 cubic feet per second), 
while the west fork at the same elevation contained 4,500,000 (6.96 
cubic feet per second), making a total of 21,800.000 gallons in twenty- 
four hours (33.73 cubic feet per second), from a watershed of 4 square 
miles. The question of minimum flow is a difficult one to answer 
without any mensurements during the driest part of the season. A 
total of 5,000,000 gallons (7.74 cubic feet per second) at an elevation 
of 500 feet is certainly conservative ; more probably the least flow 
would be 6,000,000 or 7,000,000 gallons (9.28 or 10.83 cubic feet per 
second). More observations during September or October are neces- 
sary to settle this point. 



LINDGBEN.] STKP^AMS. 33 

Wailau. — This, the largest stream of the island, is in general char- 
acteristics very similar to the Pelekunn. Its drainage area is slightly 
larger and is covered by the same dense vegetation. Precipices like 
those at Pelekunn, though scarcelj^ as steep, surround the basin, which 
is narrower toward the sea than toward the head. A difficult foot 
trail connects Wailau with Pukoo and Mapulehu and crosses the 
mountain at a pass with the low elevation of 2,800 feet. From the 
summit gap the trail descends along the ridge between the two prin- 
cipal forks and reaches the east branch at an elevation of 690 feet; 
then it follows this for some distance and ascending again over the 
small point Pun o Wailau (elevation 680 feet), it reaches the junction 
of the forks at 470 feet. At the time of the visit, June 5, clear weather 
had prevailed for one. week over the whole island, following showery 
weather in the end of May. 

At an elevation of 500 feet the east fork contained 7,500,000 gallons 
(11.60 cubic feet per second), and at the same elevation the west fork 
contained 14,100,000 gallons (21.82 cubic feet per second), thus giving 
a total of 21,600,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (33.42 cubic feet 
per second) from an effective drainage area of 5 square miles. It will 
b^ noticed that the Wailau and the Pelekunn differ but little in their 
total flow; while the drainage area of the latter above 500 feet is 
slightly smaller, the elevation of its watershed and the iDrecipitation 
is probably somewhat larger than that of Wailau. 

Regarding the minimum flow the same remarks apply as have been 
made regarding the Pelekunn. Ten million gallons (15.47 cubic feet 
per second) is a liberal estimate of the least flow; more likely it is 
8,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (12.38 cubic feet per second). 

Several minor streams descend like silverj^ threads from the pali 
into the sea between Wailau and the eastern end of the island. Some- 
times the strong trade winds dissipate these cascades into mist before 
they reach the foot of the escarpment. 

Halawa. — Very near the eastern promontory the important water- 
course of Halawa empties into the sea. Halawa differs from the other 
streams in flowing in an almost due east direction. Its watershed 
comprises about 8 square miles; it has its source in the swampy, 
impenetrable plateaus east of Wailau, and it descends from these in 
a beautiful waterfall plainly seen from the harbor. For a mile or 
two above its month it flows in a somewhat open, fertile valley. The 
minimum flow of Halawa is reported by Mr. O'Shaughnessy, former 
engineer to the American Sugar Company, to be about 5,000,000 gal- 
lons in twenty-four hours (7.74 cubic feet per second). 

STREAMS OF THE SOUTH COAST. 

Meyers Gulch. — This stream has a drainage area of 16 square miles, 
the largest on the south coast, but except near the summit it contains 
no permanent water, not even during the winter months, Its canyon 

IRR 77—03 3 



34 WATEE EES0UECE8 OF MOLOKAI. [no. 7T. 

is sharply cut into the grassy plateau to a depth of from 200 to 300 
feet, and contains in places thick groves of kukui trees. It empties 
a short distance east of Palaau. The grade in the lower course is 
moderate, but above an elevation of 1,500 feet it increases rapidly and 
the canyon contains many abrupt falls. The uppermost courses of the 
different branches have again a more gentle grade. At an elevation 
of 700 feet the creek branches. The east, or Luahine, fork heads 
with two prongs near the Hunter's cabin, on Kaunakakai land division, 
at an elevation of 3,000 feet; the main branch continues by Mej^er's 
ranch, where it is joined by several smaller branches extending up 
toward Meyers Lake, and 1 mile above Meyers divides again into the 
Kahapakai and the Mokomoka branches, both of which head at ele- 
vations of about 2,600 feet m Kalamaula swamp. 

During the winter of 1899-1900 the water in this gulch reached the 
coast four times — in December, April, May, and, lastlj^, June 27 and 28. 
The volume is considerable, sometimes 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 gallons 
in twenty-four hours (7.74 to 12.38 cubic feet per second), but the 
flow subsides rapidly. On June 27 about 5,000,000 gallons came down 
in twenty-four hours (7.74 cubic feet per second), while the next day 
there was but a slight stream trickling along the bed. 

The permanent water appears chiefly in the Kahapakai Fork. Near 
its head, which is separated only by a narrow ridge from the canyon 
of the Waihanau, it is fed by strong and continuous springs coming 
in chiefly from the east side. Between 2,000 and 1,500 feet there is a 
sharp grade. Though the flow is small in summer the water runs 
permanently as far down as Wahii (elevation, 1,475 feet), where one 
branch of the water pipe supplying the ranch ends. Below this, on 
May 26, a little Avater was running, but only as far as the junction of 
the two forks. 

On May 24, in light showery weather, Kahapakai was measured at 
an elevation of 1,975 feet, and flowed 281,000 gallons (0.43 cubic foot 
per second), diminishing at an elevation of 2,200 feet to 192,000 gal- 
lons (0.30 cubic foot per second). The same creek, at an elevation of 
1,975 feet, contained on June 25 (light showers following three weeks 
of drought) 155,000 gallons (0.24 cubic foot per second). On May 26, 
after some pretty heavy showers, the water at Wahii measured only 
151,200 gallons (0.23 cubic foot per second), showing that the maxi- 
mum flow is at a considerably higher elevation. 

The Mokamoka Fork does not contain as much water, nor is it per- 
manent during the summer. On May 26 it was running only a little 
water one-fourth of a mile above the mouth of Kapuna Spring Gulch. 
Its average flow during the rainy season, at an elevation of 2,000 feet, 
may be estimated to be 150,000 gallons (0.23 cubic foot per second). 
The Luahine Fork of Meyers Gulch branches at an elevation of 2,000 
feet, the two forks heading on each side of Kalualohe Hill. The west 
fork carries some water, about 100,000 gallons (0.15 cubic foot per 



LINDGBKN.] STREAMS. 35 

second), in the rainy season, and is said to run some throughout the 
summer. The east fork contains the spring mentioned above. The 
flow begins one-half mile above the tunnel and continues for at least 
the same distance below it. The maximum flow is perhaps 1,000 feet 
below the tunnel. On May 30 it gave 135,000 gallons (0.21 cubic foot 
per second). 

Kaunakahai Gulch. — This gulch, debouching at Kaunakakai, has 
cut a long, narrow box canyon, and embraces a watershed of al out 8 
square miles. It has a very straight course and is from 100 to 400 
feet deep, the maximum depth being attained at the junction of the 
forks below Kaulahuki. From the west it receives some deeply 
eroded tributaries heading at Hunter's cabin, but these are usually 
dr}^, even through the rainy season. The main canyon has near the 
month a grade of about 100 feet in 1,500. In its middle course it is 
very steep, while on both sides of Kaulahuki lighter grades again 
prevail. The gulch contains running water in its middle and lower 
course only after heavy rain storms. Occasionally, very heavy fresh- 
ets flood the plain at its mouth and bring heavy bowlders from the 
canyon. It is, in brief, a typical torrential stream. During the winter 
0^1899-1900 it was in flood" in December; again in April, and finally 
in the last days of June, but each time the volume diminished rapidly, 
and after twenty-four or twenty-eight hours had dwindled to a very 
small amount. Below Kaulahuki, at an elevation of 2,500 feet, the 
main canyon forks — one branch, the Kamiloloa, heading between 
Kaulahuki and Kaeo, while the other, the Makakupaia, heads in the 
swamps around Hanalilolilo. Both of these branches carry perma- 
nent water. Kamiloloa during the period of examination carried 
water from its extreme head down to a point 3,500 feet above the 
junction. It is largely spring fed and its permanency is attested by a 
big bunch of wild bananas growing in the canyon at an elevation of 
3,100 feet. On April 29 there was at least 200,000 (0.31 cubic foot per 
second) or 300,000 (0.4G cubic foot per second) gallons running. On 
May 31, after three warm, brighter days following showery weather, a 
flow of 276,000 gallons (0.43 cubic foot per second) was measured at 
an elevation of 3,100 feet. According to apparently reliable accounts 
it dwindles in extremely dry weather to 20,000 gallons (0.03 cubic foot 
per second). The main bulk of the water comes from the Makakupaia 
Fork, which is fed partly by springs but largely by the water stored 
in the swamps about Hanalilolilo. Below this point the Makakupaia 
forks again, both branches carrying water, though the eastern branch 
contains the larger part of it. The water, as in all of the streams 
heading in swampy ground, is of brownish color. The flow is con- 
tinuous, even in the driest season, but, as in the case of Kamiloloa, it 
dwindles to a small amount. In the rainy season the water runs for 
a distance of several thousand feet below the junction, and even in 
the dry season it usually reaches the junction, according to state- 



36 WATEE KESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

ments of Mr. Theodore Meyer. The stream was measured May 31, 
under normal conditions, three days of fair weather following show- 
ery weather, at an elevation of 2,510 feet. A flow of 450,000 gallons 
(0.70 cubic foot per second) was obtained. 

Onini Gulch. — Though heading at 3,000 feet this gulch is ordinarily 
dry up to its head, only flowing after heavy rains. 

Kawela Gulch. — The Kawela drains a territory of about 3^ square 
miles. It heads in the swamps near the highest peaks of the island 
and flows in a narrow box canyon from 100 to 500 feet deep. The 
grade near the mouth is 100 feet per 2,000, but in the middle course 
it increases to extremelj^ sharp descents, broken by many perpendicu- 
lar falls. In its upper course the grade is again less, perhaps averag- 
ing 100 feet in 1,000 feet. 

Like Kaunakakai, this is a pronounced torrential stream, but it car- 
ries considerabl}^ more water. During the rainy season its flow verj^ 
frequentlj^ reaches the sea continuously for several days. On an 
average the Kawela is in flood at least once a montli between October 
and June. There is a great deal of water under its sandy flood plain, 
and the flow during freshets is depended upon to irrigate the kuli- 
anas (small holdings of native settlers) near its mouth. The flood 
does not stop suddenly, as in Meyers aiid Kaunakakai gulches, but 
continues for several days. The volume of water coming down is 
very large. On May 1, several days after showery weather, the 
Kawela, 500 feet above the forks, at an elevation of 160 feet, flowed 
at least 300,000 gallons (0.46 cubic foot per second), which at an eleva- 
tion of 100 feet diminished to about 100,000 gallons (0.15 cubic feet 
per second). On May 28 Kawela had been flowing strong for several 
days; at an elevation of 100 feet there was a flow of 3,000,000 gallons 
(4.64 cubic feet per second). This gradually diminished, and on June 
11 the creek was dry at the junction of the forks. On June 26 the 
creek was in flood again and continued so for several daj^s, the amount 
on the day mentioned being at least 6,000,000 gallons (9. 28 cubic feet 
per second). 

The Kawela brandies three-fourths of a mile above its moutli, and 
the two canyons have a parallel course only 1,000 to 2,000 feet ajjart to 
near their heads. Two miles above the mouth the west fork receives 
two tributaries which, however, are dry even, during rainy season. 
The main west fork heads near Hanalilolilo and carries a little water, 
which rarely reaches the main junction. The ordinary winter flow is 
continuous for 2 miles below the head to a point below the high-water 
fall at an elevation of 3,000 feet, which may be observed from near 
Onini station. The flow was measured under normal, average winter 
conditions at an elevation of 3,350 feet, where its grade is compara- 
tively flat, the result being 190,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (0.29 
cubic foot per second) . This little stream is probably nearly dry in the 
fall. 



LINDGREN.] WELLS. 37 

The main or east fork under average winter conditions flows as far 
down as an elevation of 1,500 or 2,000 feet. By far the greatest 
volume of its water is collected from the swamps near the head, 
and during rainy weather its volume reaches 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 
gallons (7.74 to 10.83 cubic feet per second). On June 1, after three 
or four days of dry weather following showery weather, it was meas- 
ured at an elevation of 3,160 feet, where its canyon has comparatively 
slight gi'ade. The flow was 1,300,000 gallons in t^wentj^-four hours 
(2.01 cubic feet per second). On June 19, after three weeks of hot 
and dry weather, it measured at the same place 350,000 gallons (0.54 
cubic foot per second), at about which figure the flow, according to all 
accounts, remains constant during the summer, though in exceedingly 
dry weather it may dwindle as low as 50,000 gallons (0.08 cubic foot 
per second). 

Kamalo Gulch. — This stream, together with the two adjoining 
gulches to the east, receives the drainage of the swamps of the highest 
mountain region, and in its general characteristics is very similar to 
the Kawela, though probably carrying a somewhat largej quantity of 
water. It usually flows at the mouth of the gulch once or twice a 
month. It is located on the property of the Kamalo Sugar Company, 
"^ho use it to some extent for irrigation. 

East of Kamalo no detailed observations were made. But, as stated 
above, the rainfall increases steadily in this direction, and grassy 
slopes descend far toward the sea. Between this place and Halawa the 
country is comparatively thickly settled. Little flats are common 
along the shore and little groups of cocoa palms and taro patches 
appear at frequent intervals. In this distance tliere are several 
streams similar to Kamalo and at least one permanent water course, 
the Waialua. The giTlches are numerous and very closely S]paced. 

WELLS. 

The fact that water can be obtained along the coast by shallow wells 
was recognized long ago, and irrigation on a small scale by means of 
windmills has been practiced in many places. Water for stock has 
been obtained in the same manner. 

KALUAKOI. 

On the western part of the property (Kaluakoi) precipitation is 
slight and the supply of ground water is accordingly limited and salty 
in character. 

On the north coast, nearly due north of Mauna Loa, is located the 
Momomie well and windmill, used for watering stock. Here, as at all 
of the other stock wells, the surplus water is allowed to run back into 
the well. The depth is 35 feet, water standing at about sea level 30 
feet below the surface. The salinity is very high — 238 grains per gal- 



38 WATER RESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

Ion. One mile eastward is an old landing place, where two small 
houses are still standing. A well 20 feet deep was dug here, but has 
been allowed to cave. 

There are no wells along the coast west of this until Papohaku is 
reached, at the middle of the west coast. Several wells have been dug 
in the sandy plain which here follows the coast for about 1 mile. 
The well and windmill which supplies the stock is one-half mile south- 
east of Puu o Kaiaka; the depth is 40 feet, the water level, which is 
equal to the sea level, standing 35 feet below the surface. The water 
has a salinity of 403 grains to the gallon, thus closely approaching the 
limit for drinking purposes, even for stock. A quarter of a mile 
southwest is a smaller well, which probably stands at 200 grains and 
which is used by the stock men when stopping at Papohaku. 

There is no further water until Kamakaipo, where, on the little 
plain adjoining the sea, a 30-foot well has been dug, the water stand- 
ing 10 feet below surface. This well proved too salty for use. A 
smaller well close by, on the trail, is 10 feet deep and contains a little 
water which has about 150 grains of salt per gallon. 

From the light-house to Palaau along the coast fairly good water is 
much more abundant and the four following wells and windmills are 
located here on the sandy shore. Alena well and windmill, 1 mile 
southeast of Waieli, depth 10 feet, salinity about likeKolo; Kolo well 
and windmill, 5 miles farther east, 7 feet deep, salinity 126 grains 
per gallon (PL II, A) ; Waiakane well and windmill, south of Mauna 
Loa, 4 feet deep, salinity 150 grains per gallon; loli well and wind- 
mill, near Palaau, 6 feet deep, salinity 109 grains per gallon, water 
stands 2 feet below surface. 

PALAAU. 

A number of wells have been bored near the coast at Palaau, all of 
them in the vicinitj^ of the proposed site of the mill of the American 
Sugar Company. 

Well No. 1. — This is a 12-inch well at stable 500 feet south of mill 
site, at an elevation of 22 feet. It is sunk in basaltic lava to a depth 
of 74 feet, the water standing at about sea level. The water contains 
86 grains of salt per gallon. The well was pumped for four days con- 
tinuously at the rate of 750,000 gallons (1.16 cubic feet per second) 
without change in water. It supplied the camp with water pumped 
up to a tank. 

WeU No. 3. — This is a 12-inch well below the railroad on west 
boundary of Hoolohua, at an elevation of 125 feet above sea level. 
It was sunk in basaltic lava to a depth of 140 feet, the water standing 
at sea level. The water contained 102 grains of salt per gallon when 
first struck. 

WeU No. 3. — This well is one-fourth mile east of stable and 100 feet 
northeast of deep well, at an elevation of 23 feet. It was sunk through 



LINDQREN.] WELLS. 39 

basaltic lava to sea level. In bottom 1 2-incli well sunk to 50 feet below 
sea level; very little water near surface. The water contained 86 
grains of salt per gallon. This well was pumped for some time — just 
how long I was unable to find out ; probably two weeks — at the rate of 
750,000 gallons a day (1.16 cubic feet per second) without increasing 
the salinity. 

Palaau deep well.-^Thi^ well is located about one-fourth mile east 
of stable at Palaau, at an elevation of 22 feet above sea level. Total 
depth when work stopped, May, 1900, 250 feet. The surface forma- 
tion was basaltic lava. At 180 feet some red tuff was met; at about 
200 feet the rock was a coarse, open lava. 

The first water, at sea level, contained 86 grains of salt per gallon ; 
at 174 feet 90 grains were noted; at 180 feet from surface the well 
broke into salt water, which continued until the work was stopped. 

Well in Meyers Gulch. — This is one of the oldest wells bored. It is 
located in Meyers Gulch, one-half mile above the railroad bridge and 
1 mile east of Palaau, at an elevation of 50 feet above sea level. The 
total depth is 125 feet. Very little water, but of fair quality, was 
obtained at sea level; at 125 feet the well broke through into sea 
water. 

Wells at mouth of Meyers Gulch. — There are shallow wells on the 
level plain at mouth of Meyers Gulch, at an elevation but little above 
sea level. Water stands 2 feet below surface. Water contained 90 
grains of salt per gallon. 

NAIWA. 

The wells on this land are located near the mouth of a small dry 
gulch, 1^ miles west-northwest of the cocoanut grove. At 37 feet 
above sea level a shaft 10 by 10 feet is sunk 33 feet close by a 12- 
inch bore hole sunk to a depth of 70 feet. The first water, which 
stood at sea level, contained 74 grains of salt per gallon. Deeijer, 
this increased to 90 grains. There is no record of pumping tests. 

This locality was selected as repumping station for the high-lift 
pump intended to elevate the water to the 500-foot level. 

KALAMAULA. 

On this land, about li miles northwest of Kaunakakai, are situated 
the so-called cocoanut grove wells. They are located near the mouth 
of a little dry gulch, 2,000 feet from the sea, and in the northeast cor- 
ner of a fine field of arable land which was plowed in 1900 and which it 
was intended should be planted to cane to be irrigated from these wells. 
Many good-sized springs come out on the seashore at the cocoanut 
grove; hence this was probably considered a good location for wells. 

Cocoanut grove deep well. — This well is 27 feet above sea level. 



40 WATEE EESOUEOES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

Total depth is 343 feet. Diameter is 1 2 inches. Strata passed through 
are as follows: 

Feet. 

Soil ..'. 10 

Coral rock 5 

Hard lava 25 

Porous lava 75 

Hard lava . 35 

Porons lava 193 

Water was struck at sea level and contained 80 grains of salt per 
gallon. At 150 feet the water contained 91 grains, while at 160 feet 
the bore hole broke through into what was practically sea water and 
continued in it the whole remaining distance. 

Cocoanut grove shallow loell. — ^.About 300 feet west of the deep well, 
at an elevation of 20 feet, is located another 12-inch well, 60 feet 
deep. One million gallons were pumped during twentj^'-four hours 
(1.55 cubic feet per second), the water containing 102 grains per 
gallon. 

Cocoanut grove pits. — Beginning near the above-mentioned well a 
series of pits have been dug to below sea level. An excavation about 
200 feet long and 15 feet deep has been made, and in the bottom of 
this 10 wells, 8 hy 8 feet, have been dug to a depth of 10 feet, though 
some of them are not yet completed. While there seems to be a con- 
siderable quantity of water, no pumping tests have been made, the 
discouraging feature being that the water coming in ranged from 102 
to 104 grains per gallon. 

KAUNAKAKAI. 

A number of wells have been bored at or near the mouth of Kauna- 
kakai Gulch. Before the advent of the American Sugar Company 
there were at the mouth of the canyon several shallow wells on the 
property, on one or two of which windmills were erected. Water of 
a salinity of about 35 grains was obtained in sufficient quantities for 
the local needs of the small kulianas at slight depths, about equal to 
sea level. When undisturbed for some time the water from the upper 
part of the ground-water sheet contained only 12 grains of salt per 
gallon. A well at the Japanese hospital at the foot of the lava bluff, 
1,000 feet west of the cane-field wells, was sunk to sea level, j'ielding 
water which contained 74 grains of salt per gallon'. 

The deeper wells bored by the American Sugar Company are as 
follows : 

Cane-field wells. — Two wells have been sunk in the cane field from 
which during the year the 80 acres of cane at Kaunakakai have been 
irrigated. These wells are situated on the west side of the gulch at 
an elevation of 22 feet, have a depth of 60it and 75 feet, and are 40 
feet apart. Both have a diameter of 12 inches. Water level was 



LINDGREN.] "WELLS. 41 

reached after penetrating 22 feet of gravel and soil, the rest of the 
wells being bored in basaltic lava of varying hardness. Only the 60- 
foot well is being pumped. A suj)ply of 1,000,000 gallons per twenty- 
four hours (1.55 cubic feet per second) has been steadily obtained 
from it for over one year without increase in salinity, which is from 
86 to 96 grains. A sample taken May 4 contained 84 grains. In the 
summer of 1899, however, the water was somewhat less salty than in 
1900, for I find a record of July 10, 1899, showing that after two days 
of pumping from the first well (No. 1) the water contained 68 to 70 
grains of salt per gallon. When the centrifugal pump, which now 
raises the water from the 60-foot well to an elevation of 40 feet, was 
connected with both wells the salinity increased to over 100 grains, 
showing that the deeper well had tai3ped some salty water. 

The settlement tvell. — This is the most southerly of the long row of 
wells on the east side of the gulch. The elevation of the ground is 25 
feet. The 12-inch well is 60 feet deep. The strata penetrated are 
largely soil, gravel, and soft lava, and there is, indeed, some doubt 
whether the bed rock was actually reached. A small pump elevates 
the water from this well to a tank from which the settlement is sup- 
plied. The well has yielded about 200,000 gallons a d'ay (0.31 cubic 
foot per second) continuously. The water contains from 50 to 86 
grains of salt per gallon. A sample on May 4 gave 83 gains; on June 
11, 80 grains. 

Jlie three upper iyeZk.— These are located on the west side of the 
gulch, 1,000 feet above the main pumping station and at elevations 
of 50, 60, and 63 feet. The depth of all of them is about 60 feet, water 
standing at sea level and containing 74 grains of salt per gallon. 
Except for a few feet of soil the wells are in lava of varying hardness. 
These wells have not been tested at all as to their capacity, as their 
high salinity seemed discouraging. 

The deep well. — This well is the most northerly of the long row near 
the main pumping station. It has a diameter of 12 inches. The total 
depth at end of May, when discontinued, was 500 feet. The mouth has 
an elevation of 35 feet. Below 15 feet of gravel followed 25 feet of 
hard lava, below wliich i3orous, ashj^, and caving lava was met down 
to 110 feet; from here to 150 feet followed hard lava, and then a porous 
stratum down to 250 feet. Below 250 feet hard and soft lava alter- 
nate, no special record being kept. The first water at sea level con- 
tained 50 grains of salt per gallon; at 160 feet the well broke into salt 
water, which continued until the work was stopped. 

The 12 IV ells for iyiainp)umping station. — All of these are arranged 
in a row parallel to the bluff, and well No. 7, counted from south to 
north, has an elevation of 31 feet above mean sea level; from this 
elevation the other wells differ but little. All of the wells are 60 feet 
deep, except No. 13, which was known as the "donkey-engine well," 



42 WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

and wliicli is 75 feet. As in all of the wells bored, the absence of a 
detailed and reliable record is noticeable. Wells Nos. 7 to 13 reached 
bed rock at a distance of from 15 to 26 feet, indicating a decided slope 
southward. Below this only lava was met with, the hardness chang- 
ing every 15 or 20 feet. In wells Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, the bed rock 
was deeper, 26 feet below surface or more, and it is vaguely stated 
that every well showed a different record. In all wells the water was 
found at about sea level or, at most, 1 foot above it. The water when 
first struck contained from 20 to 40 grains of salt per gallon. Wells 
Nos. 1 to 12 were tested by pumping at the rate of 300,000 or 400,000 
gallons in twenty-four hours (0.46 to 0.6184 cubic foot per second) from 
each for a few hours, the maximum salinity being 40 grains. Only 
No. 13 was tested somewhat more severely, being pumped four days 
at the rate of from 500,000 to 750,000 gallons per twenty-four hours 
(0.77 to 1.16 cubic feet per second). April 5, 1899, a sample from this 
well contained 11.5 grains of salt per gallon. Pumping at the men- 
tioned rate from May 10 to 13 increased the salinity rapidly to 70 
grains, and the last day it reached 83 grains. 

After the erection of the 10,000, 000-gallon (15.47 cubic feet per sec- 
ond) steam pump to draw from wells Nos. 2 to 13, inclusive, the pump- 
ing began in January, 1900. According to Mr. D. Center, at the 
beginning of the pumping the water contained 50 grains of salt per 
gallon. The pumps were started at 2,500,000 gallons (3.87 cubic feet 
per second), and after one week the salt had increased to 110 grains 
per gallon. After one month it had reached 200 grains and in March 
400 grains, though when it went up to the latter figure both pumps 
were running at a total rate of 5,000,000 gallons (7.74 cubic feet 
per second). According to Mr. Boiler, the engineer in charge, the 
quantities drawn were larger and for a considerable time varied 
between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 gallons (6.19 and 7.74 cubic feet per 
second). 

When it became clear that continued pumping would not bring in 
fresh water a series of tests were made to find out, if jDossible, from 
which wells the salt water came, but the result seemed to indicate 
that it was derived from all of them. Wells Nos. 2 to 6 seemed to 
contain better water than the others, the salt amounting to only about 
150 grains per gallon. The quantity of water was, however, small, 
and these wells were easily pumped dry. In whatever way the other 
wells were arranged the water reached from 270 to 485 grains. 

During heavy pumping from wells Nos. 7 to 13 their water level 
was lowered 1.5 or, at most, 2 feet. 

Risdon wells. — These wells, so called because of the intention to 
erect a 20, 000, 000-gallon (30.94 cubic feet per second) Risdon pump 
on them, are located just 1 mile east-southeast of the Kaunakakai 
wells described above, at the eastern end of the cane fields. There 



LINDGREN.] WELLS. 43 

are twenty 12-inch wells 40 feet apart, located in three rows, which are 
also 40 feet apart with a northeast direction parallel to the dry creek 
near the month of which they are placed. Thej^ are bored at the foot 
of a low, rocky bluff, at the foot of which, 1,000 feet south of the 
wells, a strong spring appears. The most southerly well has a sur- 
face elevation of 28 feet, and a shaft is sunk from the surface to a 
depth of 20 feet, the well being bored 40 feet below the bottom of tlie 
shaft. Well and shaft penetrated 10 feet of soil, 2 feet of bowlders, 
25 feet of hard lava, 23 feet of porous lava, below which again comes 
hard lava. All of the other wells have similar records. Salinity, 70 
grains; water level, 1 foot above sea level. The most southerlj^ well 
was pumped forty-eight hours at the rate of 750,000 gallons (1.16 
cubic feet per second), after which the water contained 68 grains of 
salt per gallon and the water level was lowered 2 feet. 

The other wells were tested by pumping with the deep- well pump 
at the rate of 300,000 gallons (0.46 cubic foot per second), but only 
for a short time. Maximum amount of salt, 74 grains per gallon. 

KAW^ELA. 

' Between the Risdon wells and Onini station but little fresh water 
appears on the coast, but from the latter point to Kawela the indi- 
cations favor a larger supply. On the sandy flood plain of the 
Kawela the kulianas find all the water needed in shallow wells, the 
level standing 6 inches above sea level. The water contains 3 grains 
of salt per gallon. During floods in the Kawela the ground water 
stands 1 or 2 feet higher than usual. 

Up to June, 1900, 9 wells of an average depth of 55 feet had been 
bored at Kawela, all of them along the foot of the lava slope from 
2,000 to 4,000 feet east of the creek. A number of kulianas or small 
holdings, usually owned by natives, are located on the sandy plain of 
Kawela and extend nearly up to the foot of the bluff. 

Well No. 1. — This 14-inch well, started 12 feet above mean sea level, 
is 46 feet deep. The well passed through the following strata : Soil, 4 
feet; hard lava, 10 feet; soft porous lava, 34 feet; hard lava at bottom. 
A good stream of water was met at 14 feet from surface. Water level 
stands 10 feet 9 inches below surface, giving the water level an eleva- 
tion of 1 foot 3 inches at)ove sea level. Water contains 15 grains of 
salt per gallon. Pumped at rate of 1,000,000 gallons in twenty-four 
hours for twelve hours (1.55 cubic feet per second), the amount of salt 
rose to 25 grains. Subsequently, at the same time as the heavj' pump- 
ing took place on well No. 3, this well was pumped for three weeks at 
the rate of 1,250,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (1.93 cubic feet per 
second), the amount of salt rising to only 37 grams. 

Well No. 2. — This 14-inch well is 40 feet east of No. 1, at an eleva- 



44 WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

tion of 12 feet above mean sea level. It is 50 feet deep, and passes 
through the same rock as No. 1, except that bed rock is at the surface. 
Water was struck 10 feet below surface, and the level i-aised to 1 foot 
below surface (the only instance thus far noted of artesian pressure). 
On further boring, however, the water level sank to about 2 feet above 
sea level, showing that some very porous strata had been encoun- 
tered. Water contained 18 grains of salt per gallon. Pumped at 
rate of 1,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours for twelve hours (1.55 
cubic feet per second), highest amount of salt was 25 grains per 
gallon. 

Well No. 3. — This 14-inch well is 10 feet east of No. 2, at a surface 
elevation of 11 feet. The well is 56 feet deei^ and passes through 2- 
foot soil, a few feet of porous lava, and then pretty solid lava until 9 
feet above bottom, when a porous stratum was met. Water was struck 
5 feet below surface, but at 46 feet depth it was easily pumped dry 
at rate of 1,000,000 gallons per 24 hours (1.55 cubic feet per second). 
The well was then sunk 10 feet farther, when a large flow of water was 
encountered. This single well was pumped for thirt}'^ days, March 
1-30, 1900, at rate of 2,500,000 gallons (3.87 cubic feet per second). 
The water level was lowered 8 feet and the salinity rose as follows: 

Amount of salt in well No. 3. 

Grains per gallon. 

March 2 . 19 

March? 33 

March 16 . I _ . 32 

March 20 42 

March 24 55 

March 28 62 

MarchSO.: 64 

On May 16 the water level stood 8 feet 9 inches below surface of 
ground, or 2 feet 3 inches above sea level. 

Well No. ^.— This 14nnch well is 1,080 feet east of No. 3, at an alti- 
tude 17 feet above sea level. It is 58 feet deep and passes through 
the following strata: Soil and gravel 4 to 5 feet, hard lava to 17 feet 
below surface, where a heavj^ stream of water was encountered and 
the water level raised to 13 feet below the surface; then followed a 
soft streak for 12 to 14 feet, and hard lava was again encountered in 
the bottom of the hole. 

After short pumping with centrifugal pump it was decided to open 
the water-bearing stratum met 17 feet below the surface. 

A pit was excavated about 12 by 24 feet, the longer side being paral- 
lel to the coast. The Avestern half was sunk to 8^ feet below the sur- 
face, and a double-action two-cylinder 14 by 15 by 10 Worthington 
pump (strokes 86 per minute) was placed at this level. The eastern 
half of the pit was sunk deeper. On May 10 it had penetrated 15 feet 



LINDGREN.] WELLS. 45 

of hard but porous and open lava agglomerate. The water level stood 
14 feet below the surface while pumping at the rate of 2,500,000 gal- 
lons (3.87 cubic feet per second). The water level in the deep-bore 
hole No. 4, situated in the middle of the western end line of the pit, 
was 1 foot lower. On May 10 the water from pump contained 37.5 to 
40 grains of salt per gallon. Pumping began May 8 at 9 a. m. and 
continued with some intermissions to June 25, when the pumps were 
removed to well No. 6. 

On May 16 the pit was down to 16 feet from surface, while the water 
stood 14 feet below, and work was becoming difficult. Pumping at 
the sam'e rate was continued, the water containing 46 grains of salt. 
per gallon. The water could not be handled with the Worthington 
pump, so a small centrifugal pump was added. On May 28 both were 
running with a total capacity of 3,500,000 gallons (5.42 cubic feet per 
second). Water coming into the big pit on northeast side 5 feet 
below sea level contained 29.5 grains of salt per gallon, while the dis- 
charge from the main pipe ran 40.4 grains, but contained up to 60 or 
70 grains after some hours of continuous pumping. 

In the first days of June a 2,000,000 gallon (3.40 cubic feet per sec- 
ojid) centrifugal pump was substituted for the smaller one and total 
rate of pumping increased to 4,000,000 or 4,500,000 gallons (6.19 to 
6.96 cubic feet per second). The water was discharged into a flume 
and was conveyed to the j)ond near the eastern boundary of Kawela. 
Up to the end of May the 20-inch suction pipe had been allowed to 
remain in the bore hole drawing up salty water all the time, but then 
this pipe was first shortened and finallj^ placed in the bottom of the pit. 
The total depth of the pit from surface of upjjer (north) side is 18^ feet. 
Tunnels were now started from the northeast and southwest corners 
of the pit. On June 8, 2 p. m., pumping 4,000,000 gallons continu- 
ously, the water in the northeast tunnel ran 40 grains of salt per gal- 
lon, while the water in the flume contained 90 grains. On June 11, 
pumping continued as before, keeping water within 16 feet of bottom, 
the heavy stream of water from northeast tunnel ran 35 grains of salt 
per gallon. Another heavy flow, pouring from the well hole, con- 
tained 78 grains. The water in the main discharge flume contained 
64 grains; later in the day 82 grains. A big stream of salty water 
also poured out 1| feet above bottom of pit in southeast corner; 
a less amount of same on south side of northeast tunnel but only 
at its mouth, and still another smaller flow near southwest corner 
of pit. It had now become apparent that salt water came in from 
the bore hole and from the south side of the pit near the bottom. A 
futile attempt was made to check the flow from the bore hole by 
piling bags filled with earth around it. A week later the well hole 
was filled with cement, but only to a depth of 20 feet below the bot- 
tom of the pit, total depth below it being 40 feet. The pumping was 



46 



WATEE KESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. 



[NO. 77. 



continued at same rate and the water contained the amount of salt 
indicated in the following table : 

Amount of salt in water from No. 4 well. 
[Grains per gallon.] 



Date. 


North- 
east 
tunnel. 


South- 
west 
tunnel. 


Flume. 


South- 
east 
flow. 


June 12..- 

13 


39 

48 
48 
51 

57 


■ 27 
38 
38 
52 
33 


120 


200 


14— 9 a. m 

12 noon 

15—2 p. m 

4 p. m . . _ 


198 


341 
394 




480 


19 « . . 

20—12 noon b . 


56 


65 


127 
125 
150 




4 p. m 

21 « . 


45 


65 


225 


22—9 a. m f 

4 p. m 

23—9 a. m 

4 p. m 

2Ad 


52 
65 
49 
52 

} . 


68 
48 
60 
37 

32 


110 
150 
111 
142 


162 
232 

232 


25 ^ 







« Pumping stopijed for two days. <■ June 21 about same as June 20. 

b Running day time only. '' No pumping. 

''Irregular pumping. 

All tunnel samples were taken at face. 

On this daj^ the tunnel had advanced 32 feet from the pit. The rock, 
which had been porous and soft, was becoming hard at face, and much 
water was coming in from the roof. The southwest tunnel had 
advanced 23 feet in porous rock, but the same was becoming hard, a 
good stream of water coming in from the floor. 

An analysis of above data shows that the two tunnels furnished 
from 2,250,000 to 2,500,000 gallons (3.48 to 3.87 cubic feet per second) 
of water, containing on the average 50 grains of salt per gallon, while 
the southeast flow and the bore hole furnished from 2,000,000 to 
2,250,000 gallons (3.10 to 3.48 cubic feet per second), containing from 
200 to 400 grains of salt per gallon. Practically^ all of the saltwater 
comes from these two sources. The rapid increase in salinity from 
the southeast flow and the bore hole shows that there are leaks in the 
rocks at these points in almost direct connection with the sea water, 
while the other parts of the pit had no such connections. It might 
well have been possible to isolate these sources of contamination. 

Well No. 5. — This 14-inch well is located 226 feet east of No. 4, and 
is 75 feet deep. It passed through the following strata : Soil 3 feet, 
hard lava to 29 feet from surface, soft red lava tuff to 47 feet from 
surface, hard lava to 70 feet from surface, soft again from 70 to 75 
feet. The water stood 9^ feet below the surface, or 2| feet above sea 
level. On May 16 I measured water level to 9 feet 1^ inches below 
surface. Salinity, 35 grains. Pumped with centrifugal pump at rate 
of 750,000 gallons (1.16 cubic feet per second) May 8 and 10, but not 



LINDGBBN.] WELLS. 47 

continuously. On pumping the level immediately fell 2 feet 3 inches. 
Highest salinity, 35 grains. 

Well No. 6. — This 14-inch well is located 255 feet west of well No. 4 
and is 60 feet deep. It passed through the following strata : Soil and 
gravel with bowlders, 40 feet, remainder lava, in part soft. Water 
contains 25 grains of salt per gallon. Was pumped two days with 
well pump (capacity, 300,000 gallons, or 0:46 cubic foot per second). 
Water stands normally 15 feet 6 inches below surface. Pumped also 
intermittently from June 11 to June 16 at rate of from 500,000 to 
850,000 gallons (0.77 to 1.32 cubic feet per second), the water level 
only being lowered 3 to 4 inches. On June 16 the water contained 
31 grains of salt. 

Well No. 7. — This 14-inch well is located 240 feet west of No. 6, and 
is 59 feet deep. It passed through soil and gravel 30 to 35 feet, below 
this lava of varying hardness. There were no pumping tests up to 
June 30 on account of lack of available pumps. 

Well No. 8. — This 144ncli well is 240 feet west of No. 7 and has a 
total depth of 58 feet. There have been no pumping tests. 

Well No. 9. — This 14-inch well is 195 feet west of No. 1, at an ele- 
vation of 20 feet. Down to some feet below water level hard lava 
prevails. The well was not finished by end of June. There are no 
special tests of water from the last three wells, but the amount of salt 
ranges from about 25 to 35 grains per gallon. 

On the west side of Kawela Gulch a shaft was sunk at an elevation 
of 30 feet in a small side gully. Water containing only 3 grains of 
salt per gallon was found somewhat above sea level. The water came 
in too fast for bailing, but no pumps being available nothing further 
was done at this locality. < 

Other ivells. — Since the middle of May, 1900, a series of six shafts 
(5 by 5 feet) have been sunk to sea level between the wells, but no 
pumping has been done on these. It was proposed to extend a tunnel 
from well No. 4 to well No. 1, a little below sea level; this tunnel was 
to grade toward No. 1, where a central pumping station was to be 
located, and was to collect the upper stratum of the ground water, to 
which that from the deeper strata down to 60 feet was to be added by 
pumping from the wells. As it was shown, however, that tunneling 
under existing circumstances was quite difficult at well No. 4, it was 
intended at the time of my departure from Molokai to substitute an 
open cut and trench for the tunnel. 

THEORETICAL AMOUNT OF WATER AVAILABLE. 

The rain falling on the island is disposed of in the three following 
ways: One relatively small part is evaporated from soil and from 
plants. A second and large part is absorbed b}^ the soil and, con- 
tinually moving, sinks down to the surface of permanent saturation, 
which slopes gentl}^ seaward ; all of this water finds its way to the 
shore and must emerge from the rocks at or about sea level. A third 



48 WATEE EESOURCES OF MOLOKAT. [no. 77. 

part runs off in the living streams. On the north coast and in the sum- 
mit region this amount i-eaehes at least one-half of total rainfall, for 
the ground here contains much water and only slowly absorbs more. 
Over the south slope the run-off is very small, for the living streams 
are here largely absorbed before reaching the sea. The run-off of 
the total south slope is probably only 30 per cent of the total rainfall. 
It is greater at Kawela than at Kaunakakai. 

Absolute data can not be obtained on account of lack of informa- 
tion as to rainfall; but, taking all conditions known on this and adja- 
cent islands, the following approximate calculation inay be made : 

Total area of south slope from Meyers Creek to east boundary of 
Kawela is 54 square miles ; average rainfall over this area is 4 feet 
per year; total annual rainfall over this area, 6,048,000,000 cubic feet, 
or 45,358,000,000 gallons, or 126,000,000 gallons per twenty-four hours 
(194.95 cubic feet per second); evaporation, 26,000,000 to 36,000,000 
gallons (40.23 to 55.70 cubic feet per second); run off, 20,000,000 to 
30,000,000 gallons (30.94 to 46.42 cubic feet per second); ground 
water, 60,000,000 to 80,000,000 gallons (92.83 to 123.78 cubic feet per 
second). Of this amount it was proposed to secure nearly one-half, 
or 30,000,000 gallons (46.42 cubic feet per second), at one place near 
Kaunakakai, which clearly would be imiDossible. 

The ground water available from one-half mile west to 1 mile 
east of Kaunakakai and from the coast to the summit, including the 
drainage of Kaunakakai and small gulches to the east, may be roughly 
calculated as follows : 

Area, 36,000 by 12,000 feet; average rainfall over whole area, 4 
feet; total amount of water, 1,728,000,000 cubic feet, or 13,000,000,000 
gallons per year, or 36,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (55.70 
cubic feet per second); evaporation, 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 gallons 
(12.38 to 18.57 cubic feet per second); run off, 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 
gallons (7.74 to 15.47 cubic feet per second); available for ground- 
water circulation, 14,000,000 to 23,000,000 gallons in 24 hours (21.66 
to 35.59 cubic feet per second), which amount must emerge along the 
coast. It is thus seen that a considerable amount of water is avail- 
able, though it is probably distributed pretty evenly over the distance, 
and its long passage through the rocks has rendered it salty. The 
fact that for a whole j'ear 1,000,000 gallons (1.55 cubic feet per second) 
has been T)umped from the cane-field \vell goes to prove that there 
must be a fair amount available along the coast. 

A considerable amount of ground water is available at Kawela 
Gulch. Assuming a drainage area of 24,000 by 12,000 feet for the 
Kawela jDropertj^ and an average rainfall of 5 feet, for the rainfall is 
decidedly more than over the Kaunakakai drainage area, we obtain 
1,440,000,000 cubic feet, or 10,800,000,000 gallons a year, or 30,000,000 
gallons a day (46.42 cubic feet per second). Assuming 6,000,000 
to 10,000,000 gallons (9.28 to 15.47 cubic feet per second) evapora- 
tion, 4,000,000 (6.19 cubic feet per second) run off, 16,000,000 to 



LiNDGBEN.] UTILIZATION^ OF WATER SUPPLY. 49 

20,000,000 (24.70 to 30.94 cubic feet per second) remain fertile ground 
water that may be considered available near Kawela Gulch. While 
the total supply is not much larger than at Kaunakakai it is more 
concentrated and the water is less saline, the normal flow averaging 
about 35 grains, the flood water on top sometimes going as low as 
3 grains. 

These calculations of the relative quantities at Kaunakakai and 
Kawela may not quite express the actual conditions, for from the geo- 
logic structure it seems very probable that a large part of the ground 
water from the headwaters of Kaunakakai Gulch finds its way down 
to Kawela, thus considerably increasing the amount available there. 

The ground water probably available at Kamalo may be roughly 
estimated as follows: 

Assuming a drainage area of 20,000 by 10,000 feet and an average 
precipitation of 5 feet, we obtain a total of 7,500,000,000 gallons a 
year or 21,000,000 gallons a day (32.49 cubic feet per second), of 
Which the larger part, perhaps 12,000,000 or 15,000,000 (18.57 to 23.21 
cubic feet per second), should be available at or near the mouth of the 
gulches. Several more favorable locations may be selected between 
Kamalo and Mapulehu which should aggregate 10,000,000 gallons 
(15.47 cubic feet per second). 

Considering now the high region above with a view to ascertaining 
how much water may be available for an irrigation system collecting 
the run-ofl: of the area from the head of Kawela to Waihanau, we may 
approximately calculate as follows: 

Total area involved, 32,000 by 4,000 feet; average rainfall, approxi- 
mately, 8 feet; total amount of water, 1,024 cubic feet or 7,680,000,000 
gallons a j^ear, equivalent to 21,300,000 gallons a day (32.96 cubic feet 
per second). The run-off, which is here at least 50 per cent of total 
precipitation, would be 10,500,000 gallons (16.25 cubic feet per second). 

The drainage area of the upper Waihanau is 10,000 by 2,500 feet, 
over which a rainfall of 8 feet ma}^ be expected. Total water, 200,- 
000,000 cubic feet, or 1,500,000 gallons ])er annum; it is proposed to 
collect the entire run-off of this; the amount estimated by stream 
measurements is 710,000,000, which is a little less than half of the 
total precipitation. 

UTILIZATION OF THE WATER SUPPLY. 

The principal problem on Molokai is how to obtain water for irri- 
gation of the 14,000 acres of deep soil situated in the great gap. 
Another problem is how to obtain water for the irrigation of the 
smaller coast flats occurring at intervals from Palaau to Mapulehu. 

According to the ordinary estimates of sugar planters, 1,000,000 
gallons per twenty-four hours (1.55 cubic feet per second) are needed 
to irrigate 100 acres of sugar cane. In the opinion of many this is 
too much, but at that rate 14,000 acres would necessitate 140,000,000 

JRR 77—03 4 



50 WATER EESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

gallons per twenty-four hours (216.61 cubic feet per second). Assum- 
ing 1,000 acres of coast flats, 10,000,000 gallons (15.47 cubic feet per 
second) more would be needed. It is evident that such an amount ol 
water is not available on the island. A certain amount of water can, 
however, be obtained and it is of interest and importance to attempt 
to estimate this quantity. Sooner or later the welfare of the island 
may demand that all possible resources be made available. First of 
all, the running water at high elevations must be considered. In a 
few places, as at Kamalo, this water is carried down in steep-grade 
ditches to irrigate fields at the coast. This plan is probably imprac- 
ticable in the long run, for these ditches will soon be washed out and 
there is great loss of water by absorption. If this plan is to be con- 
sidered, it would be necessary to conduct the water in iron pipes, but 
the quantity in each place is usually small, so that it would also be 
an expensive undertaking for the results achieved. Another plan 
would be to collect the water of the upper region as far east as 
Kamalo and to carry it by a series of ditches to storage reservoirs 
above the cane lands. This would be more feasible and such a plan 
is considered in the following pages. The supply would entail small 
expense for maintenance. If cemented ditches were used in places 
the plant would be put on a permanent basis, necessitating no 
renewal every ten or fifteen years, as is the case with flumes. There 
is a further source of supply in the ground water along the coast. 
This can be collected, carried by flumes or cemented ditches to a point 
near the cane lands, whence it would have, to be raised 400 feet by 
means of a force pump. Few agricultural industries but sugar planta- 
tions could bear such a tax, but, as well known, there are many such 
high-power pumping plants in the islands, especially on Maui. The 
expense would be still further increased by the necessity of many well 
plants, for it is certain that no one place will supply a very great quan- 
tity of water. There is a possibility of using electric power, which 
may aid to solve the problem. At any rate, I think it certain that 
the coast flats could easily be irrigated from wells, which would not 
necessitate high pumping. 

Another point to be considered is the salinity of the waters. The 
running streams are very x)ure, but all of the ground water is more 
or less contaminated by common salt or sodium chloride. There is 
less of this at Kawela and Kamalo and to the east, but west of 
Kawela the salinity increases and reaches 90 grains per gallon at 
Kaunakakai and Palaau. The danger point in using saline water 
for sugar plantations is stated to be about 100 grains per gallon. 
Above this the waters become undesirable and their application may 
spoil the lands, especially if they are low lying. 

UTILIZATION OF THE RUNNING STREAMS. 

The amount of water which yearly flows to the sea through Meyers, 
Kaunakakai, and Kawela gulches is not large, though the torrents are 



LINDGBEN.] 



UTILIZATION OF WATEE SUPPLY. 



51 



violent while tliey last. To collect this amount at sea level would be 
difficult in many respects, and this plan is not to be recommended; 
nor will it be less difficult to collect the water from the streams while 
running at elevations of 500 to 1,000 feet. Flumes would be long and 
expensive, and the long seasons during which they must remain dry 
would necessarily soon destroy them. 

The only place to economically collect the running water is near the 
summit region. Here the streams are more constant and less torren- 
tial; here, also, is the region of heaviest rainfall and largest relative 
drainage area. In their lower course most of the streams are in box 
canyons which can not collect a large amount of water. 

It may be thought that flumes have been used too extensively in 
the scheme outlined below, and in some places where the soil is very 
light ditches may possibly be substituted, but the danger of losing 
water by leakage is great, though not so great as farther down the 
slope, and in installing the system tests and measurements should be 
constantly made to make sure that no avoidable losses take place. 
During the dry part of the season most of the streams will flow only 
a small amount, and a few will dry up altogether; there will be 
enough, however, to keep the flumes from drying and shrinking. It 
is x^robably not desirable to go bej^ond Kamalo Gulch for the purpose 
of collecting water for the region of the gap. Beyond this point the 
summit region is very precipitous and the expense of construction 
and maintenance would be very great. 

The system of collection is combined with a system of storage by 
which part of the waters of the rainy season will be stored for summer 
use. A number of reservoir sites have been selected and surveyed 
which, it is believed, will be tight and satisfactory. 

Referring to the data given above under "Running streams," the 
following amounts are believed to be available in the different gulches 
at elevations given below: 





210 days (Nov 


. 1-June 1). 


60 days (June 1-Aug. 1). 




Gallons per 
24 hours. 


Cubic feet 
per second. 


Gallons in 
24 hours. 


Cubic feet 
per second. 


Waihanau 

Waialeia 

"Waikolu 

Kahapakai 

Mokamoka 


3, 250, 000 
300, 000 

1,250,000 
250, 000 
200, 000 
200, 000 
275, 000 
425, 000 
200, 000 

1,200.000 


5.02 
.46 

1.93 
.39 
.31 
.31 
.43 
.66 
.31 

1.86 


1,000,000 
100, 000 
300, 000 
150, 000 
100, 000 

75, 000 
100, 000 
150, 000 

50, 000 
300, 000 


1.55 
.15 
.46 
.23 

.15 


Ltiahine Fork 


.12 


Kamiloloa 


.15 


Makakupaia 


.23 


West Fork Kawela , 


.08 


East Fork Kawela 


.46 






Total - _ _ 


7, 550, 000 


11.68 


2, 325, 000 


3.58 







52 WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

This gives a total for two hundred and seventy days of 1,725,000,000 
gallons (230,500,000 cubic feet). During the remaining months of 
the year there will be a varying flow less than 2,000,000 gallons (3.09 
cubic feet per second), which may be considered to offset losses by 
leakage and evaporation. Assuming 500 acres to be irrigated with 
5,000,000 gallons a day (7.74 cubic feet per second), or 1,825,000,000 
gallons (244,000,000 cubic feet) a year, which amount certainly is 
ample, a storage capacity of about 577,000,000 gallons (77,000,000 
cubic feet) is required in this case to supply about 480 acres with a 
steady flow of 4,800,000 gallons in twenty-four hours (7.43 cubic feet 
per second). During part of the winter months the full amount of 
water is not needed and consequently any increased storage capacity 
will increase the area which can be irrigated. The water is to be 
taken out as follows : 

Waikoiu. — Elevation of dam 3,600 feet; 4,500-foot flume, 2 by 1^ 
feet; grade 10 feet per mile; capacity 3,000,000 gallons (4.64 cubic 
feet per second); to cross gap at head of Makakupaia with 2,000 
feet of 10-inch riveted pipe, and discharge in Kamiloloa. Probably 
too much loss of water would result by allowing water to run down 
into Makakupaia Fork. 

Kawela. — Elevation of damming place 3,220 feet; 15,000 feet of 
flume to Makakupaia Fork; grade 10 feet per mile; capacity 8,000,000 
gallons (12.38 cubic feet per second); size 2 by 3 feet; to dump 
water over edge of canyon into Makakupaia*^ Fork ; crosses Onini 
Gulch in siphon. 

Makakupaia. — Elevation of dam 2.650 feet; 17,000 feet to Hunter's 
cabin; grade 10 feet per mile, dumping water in upper East Fork of 
Luahine Gulch at elevation of 2,600 feet; capacity 16,000,000 gallons 
(24.76 cubic feet per second); size 3 by 4 feet; crossing tributary 
gulches of Kaunakakai Gulch in siphons and receiving tributary 
flume from Kamiloloa and Waikoiu. 

Kamiloloa. — Elevation of dam 3,050 feet; 4,500 feet of flume, 2 by 
2^ feet carrying; capacity 5,000,000 gallons (7.74cubic feetper second) ; 
shai'p grade, 

LuaMne Fork. — The water from the Makakupaia ditch is dumped 
into East Fork of Luahine. The latter is dammed at an elevation of 
2,350 feet; 9,500 feet of flume to Kahapakai; size 3 by 4 feet; grade 
20 feet per mile; capacity 20,000,000 gallons (30.94 cubic feet per sec- 
ond) ; crossing Mokamoka Fork and West Fork Luahine in siphons, 
receiving their flows in 2 by 1 foot tributary flumes; dumps at an 
elevation of 2,300 feet in Kahapakai. 

Waialeia. — Damming place at an elevation of 2,760 feet; 4,000-foot 
flume 14 by 12 inches; 10- foot grade; dumping into Waihanau; 
capacity 1,000,000 gallons (1.55 cubic feet per second). 

Waihanau. — Damming place at an elevation of 2,046 feet ; 4,200-foot 
flume, 2^ by 3 feet; grade 10 feet per mile; capacity 10,000,000 gallons 



LiNDGREN] UTILIZATION OF WATER StJPPLY. 53 

(15.47 cubic feet per second); 400 feet of tunnel; dumping water into 
Kaliai3akai. 

Kaha2Xikai.-^T>iimTaing place at an elevation of 2,000 feet; 3,000- 
foot flume, 3^ by 4 feet; capacity 30,000,000 gallons (46.42 cubic feet 
per second) ; grade 20 feet per mile ; dumping into reservoir No. 1 at 
Meyers Lake. 

From reservoir No. 1 there are several ways by which the water 
can be conducted down to the lower reservoir sites. The simplest 
would be to let it run down Mej^ers Creek to an elevation of 1,100 feet, 
whence it could be taken to the reservoirs in a ditch. This will, how- 
ever, almost certainly cause large losses, which can not be afforded. 
A better plan would probably be to let it down to an elevation of 1,600 
feet — that is, 300 feet below the reservoir — whence it can be conducted 
by a sharp-grade flume across the gap below the reservoir and thence 
to the head of the flat gulch in which the big reservoirs are located. 
This gulch, it is believed, is fairly tight; at any rate it is worth trying. 
Should the losses in this gulch be too large it will be necessary to con- 
struct a series of ditches at low grade connected with sharp drops 
which will conduct the water down to the reservoirs. It should be 
mentioned that all parts of the system are easily accessible. A wagon 
road extends from Kaunakakai to the gaji at Kaohu station above 
reservoir No. 1; another road is built from Kaunakakai to Waikolu. 
Still another can be constructed at very slight cost from Kaunakakai 
by way of Makakupaia station to the headwaters of Makakupaia, and 
to the edge of the canyon above the West Fork of Kawela. In places 
the flumes will be difficult to build, but there do not appear to be 
serious obstacles in any place. 

The required storage capacity, 577,000,000 gallons (77,000,000 cubic 
feet), is to be obtained as follows: 

The highest reservoir is known as Meyers Lake, a small natural 
pond dammed to some extent by Mr. Meyer. It consists of two basins 
which can readily be dammed to contain 160,000,000 gallons (21,000,000 
cubic feet). The elevation is about 1,900 feet. The site is excellent; 
the ground is evidently very tight and evaporation slight. Consider- 
able wave action may be expected and the main dam must be rip- 
rapped and protected by a break water of logs. Abundant and 
excellent dam material, clayey, decomposed soil close at hand. 
Large quantities may be loosened by bank blasting. Two different 
schemes are proposed; if only the lower basin which drains towards 
Meyers Gulch is utilized, the capacity will be reduced to 91,000,000 
gallons (12,000,000 cubic feet). If both basins are utilized they must 
be connected by a drain or siphon. The upper basin drains toward 
the north by means of a narrow cut which must be filled by a dam. 

Dam No. 2 and No. 3 are natural basins at elevations of about 900 
to 1,000 feet, apparently entirely tight and in their present state 
ready to receive water. They are situated about 2 miles west-north- 



54 



WATER EESOUECES OF MOLOKAI. 



[NO. 77. 



west of Meyer's ranch on the broad grassy ridge south of Eleuweuwe 
Point. They must be emptied by means of siphon pipes or drain 
tunnels. 

Most of the gulches and creeks of the island have a very steep 
grade. Among the exceptions to this rule are the three gulches dis- 
charging on the north coast over the 1,000-foot pali, 2 or 3 miles north 
of Middle Hill. The water courses are from 2 to 4 miles long and 
meander with relatively low grade through the grassy rolling country 
here continuing out to theVery edge of the pali. Their vallej^'s are 
from about 100 feet deep up to 800 feet wide; their sides, as a rule, 
grassy and covered by clayey soil. Receiving but little precipitation 
they contain bufc little water, even during heavy rains and are thus 
excellently adapted for storage. Water can be stored in all three at 
elevation of from 800 to 1,000 feet. The most southerly of these 
creeks, flowing just south of Eleuweuwe Point, is best adapted for 
reservoir sites. There is no difficulty in carrying the stored water 
out from the reservoirs and down toward the cane lands. Four 
reservoirs were planned on this creek, though one of these. No. 5, 
may be dispensed with as the desired capacity is obtained without it. 
The dams must be carefully constructed of the abundantly available 
claj^ey soil, and I believe that the reservoirs will be found water-tight. 
They are calculated to 10 feet on top with a slope of 3:1 on both sides 
The surveys for these dams were made for me by Mr. E. Pope, at that 
time one of the surveyors of the American Sugar Company. 

List of reservoirs. 



No. 



Capacity. 



Gallons. 

1 (MeyersLake) 160,000,000 

3 I 62,000,000 

3 ' 73,000,000 

4.. ' 117,000,000 

5 :. 138,000,000 

6 189,000,000 

7 100,000,000 

Total ' 839,000,000 



Cubic feet. 
21,389,000 
8, 288, 000 
9, 758, 500 
15. 640, 500 
18, 448, 000 
25, 266, 000 
13, 368, 000 



112,158,000 



Height 
of dam. 



Feet. 
(«) 



30 



54 
54 
54 
52 



"Natural basin. 

From the reservoirs at an elevation of 800 feet the Avater is easily 
conducted bj^ ditches and drops in shallow ravines to an elevation of 
450 feet, the height of the gap, whence it can be applied to any part 
of the cane lands desired. The distance from the reservoirs to the 
cane lands is from 2 to 4 miles. It is easil}^ understood that it is 
not necessary to construct this whole system outlined above at once. 
The Waihanau, Waialeia, Kahapahai may be first utilized together 
with reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2 or No. 7. The results of this system, 
which will irrigate at least 175 acres, will indicate the success to be 
expected from the installation of the whole system. 



LiNDGRBN.] UTILIZATION" OF WATER SUPPLY. 55 

In conclusiou it may be estimated that collecting and storing the 
running streams as outlined above will cost about $120,000 and the 
water collected amounts to a steady supply of nearly 5,000,000 gallons 
a day (7.74 cubic feet per second) during the whole year. The 
utilization of this water will interfere but little Avith the supply to be 
expected from pumps at sea level. 

If it were found practicable to use the lands for cultivation of fruit 
trees and vines, this quantity of water — 5,000,000 gallons in twenty- 
four hours (7.74 cubic feet per second) — would easil}^ be sufficient to 
irrigate 1,000 acres. In view of the strong winds prevalent over the 
area containing good soil such culture may, however, be difficult. 
Experiments in this direction would be desirable. 

In order to develop the water supply by catching some of the under- 
ground flow which otherwise would come out at elevations lower than 
the point of collection, tunnels might be driven at Waihauau, 
Waialeia, and Waikolu into the hill perpendicularly^ to the direction 
of the drainage, just above the damming place and in both directions 
from the creek; it is rather probable that notable amounts will thus 
be collected by comparativelj^ short tunnels, say 100 or 200 feet in 
length. 

Similar tunnels at the places where Kawela and Makakupaia forks 
are' caught are not advisable. 

Wailau and Pelehunu. — Referring to previous pages, it is estimated 
that Wailau has a minimum flow of 8,000,000 gallons (12.38 cubic feet 
per second) and Pelekunu of 7,000,000 gallons (10.83 cubic feet per 
second), both at an elevation of 600 feet; but measurements during 
the driest time of the year are necessary to confirm these figures. 
Only the minimum supply can be considered, for the high-level irriga- 
tion system proposed above has exhausted the greater part of storage 
capacity available. 

The utilization of the water supply of these streams involves (1) a 
high-level ditch reaching the cane lands at an elevation of 450 feet 
and (2) long tunnels to bring the w^ater to the south side of the island, 
the northern coast being entirely impracticable. Both ditch and 
tunnel will be very expensive. 

There are two possibilities: (1) Utilization of Wailau alone; (2) 
utilization of Pelekunu and Wailau. 

By the utilization of Wailau alone 8,000,000 gallons (12.38 cubic feet 
per second) of water will be obtained, and to this must be added water 
which will be found in the tunnel. The latter quantitj' is very doubt- 
ful, but will probably amount to several million gallons. The tunnel 
will tap Wailau, West Fork, at an elevation of 670 feet. The water 
from the East Fork will be added bj^ ditch across gap south of Puu o 
Wailau. Length of tunnel to point in the canj^on Ij miles above Dr. 
Morritz's house at Mapulehu (elevation 660 feet), 12,800 feet. From 
Mapulehu to the cane fields there will be 17 miles of conduit and flume, 



"56 WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. [no. 77. 

with many siphons, the latter causing considerable loss of grade. Ele- 
vation of flume at cane fields, 450 feet. The expense of this undertak- 
ing would probably exceed 1400,000. But it should be remembered that 
there are many things which may cause increased expense. Among 
these are the possibility that the tunnel may partly or wholly need 
cementing in order to become tight. Further, that loose strata may be 
met, which may largely increase the expense. Further, the difficulty 
of working the tunnel from both ends on account of descending grade 
and large quantity of water probably met with. Lastly, the difficulty 
of landing coal and machinery at Wailau. Time needed, if only 
worked from one end, three years. 

By the utilization of Pelekunu and Wailau 14,000,000 gallons (21.66 
cubit feet per second) should be secured, besides the large flow which 
will almost certainly be met in the tunnels. Ditches and flumes must 
be correspondingly enlarged, and a tunnel 14,500 feet long driven 
from Pelekunu to convey the water after it is collected from the 
different branches. The expense would be at least $800,000. 

By tunneling the range from Kawela to Pelekunu the long and diffi- 
cult conduit from Mapulehu to Kawela would be avoided and there 
would be also considerable saving of grade. The tunnel from Wailau 
(elevation 650 feet) to Pelekunu (elevation 635 feet) would be 15,000 
feet long, while the tunnel from Pelekunu (elevation 635 feet) to 
Kawela (elevation 610 feet) would be 26,500 feet. All of the previ- 
ously stated objections apply with still greater force. The enterprise 
would consume several years and require at least 11,200,000. 

In conclusion, I consider it feasible to bring the water from Wailau 
and Pelekunu to the cane fields, but do not believe that the enterprise 
would be a paying investment. 

UTILIZATION OF THE GROUND WATER. 

This plan contemplates the pumping of water from shallow wells at 
suitable places along the coast up to a low flume, say 50 to 75 feet 
above sea level, and the further raising of it up to a level of 300 to 500 
feet by means of reciprocating pumps. Considering the conditions 
fully outlined above, it is clear that a large volume of water, say 
30,000,000 gallons (46.42 cubic feet per second), is not obtainable in any 
one place. The only way is to utilize all the resources as far as possible 
and to collect the water wherever found. It is true that this may be 
somewhat more expensive than if the water were found in one place, 
but it is the only plan possible, except if the supply from Wailau and 
Pelekunu be used. 

When the ground water is concentrated about sea level, trenches, 
pits, or tunnels may offer the best means of collecting the same, the 
trenches and tunnels as a matter of course being extended parallel to 
the shore. Even in this case difficulties may occur, for the heavj'' 
pumping necessary to prosecute the work is apt to bring in sea water, 



LTNDGREN.] UTILIZATION OB' WATER SUPPLY. 57 

and leaks may be found which will admit large quantities of the 
same. If the water is more evenly distributed through the strata 
down to 30 or 40 feet below sea level, or if the bulk of it is found 
at the latter depth, sinking and tunneling become impracticable, 
for if it is attempted to keep the workings dry, the sea water, being 
under heavy pressure, is almost sure to find its way in. In such 
case groups of 14-inch bore holes should be used, and even when the 
water occurs at sea level they may become preferable. In these 
porous rocks the capacity of a single bore hole may be comparatively 
great and amount up to 1,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. 
There is great temptation to overdraw the capacity of wells, and this 
has been done both at Kaunakakai and at Kawela. Just as soon as 
a steady increase in salinity is noted the quantity drawn must be 
decreased. In these rocks one well has a large suction area. If one 
well will give 1,000,000 gallons (1.55 cubit feet X3er second), 20 wells 
surrounding it, say at the corners of each 40 feet square, will proba- 
bly give at most 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 gallons (4.64 to 6.19 cubic feet 
per second). While many of these conditions seem discouraging, it 
should be borne in mind that one single well, that at Kaunakakai, 
has for over one year furnished a steadj'^ flow of water with a salinity 
of 85-90 grains per gallon, and that many similar places can doubt- 
less be found along the coast. 

At Palaau. — According to the data given above (wells and springs) 
there is probably a considerable amount of ground water available at 
Palaau at a depth of about 80 feet — how much is difficult to say; 
there is at least 1,000,000 gallons, possibly as much as 3,000,000. The 
wells bored have not been adequately tested, and this should first of 
all be done with the well and shaft near the deep well. If this will 
yield a steady stream for about a month or two of from 750,000 to 
1,000,000 gallons (1.16 to 1.55 cubic feet per second) in dry season, I 
recommend that two or three more wells be sunk parallel to the 
coast, about 40 feet apart. If it should be found that these would 
yield 2,000,000 or 2,500,000 gallons (3.09 to 3.87 cubic feet per second) 
of water containing less than 100 grains of salt ]3er gallon, this should 
be utilized to irrigate the bottom lands at Palaau, as well as part of 
the slopes above, which, though rocky, can be cleared and planted. 
About 1 mile of small flume will be needed. If the water is elevated 
to 100 feet by a reciprocating pump driven by electricity, it would 
require 44 horsepower, or 52 horsepower delivered at the motor. The 
salinity would be high — i. e. , about 90 grains per gallon — and this may 
in the long run interfere with its use on the lowlands. 

Cocoanut grove loells. — The 60-foot well at this place should be 
tested, which has not been done up to date. Should it be found that 
this well, with or without adjacent pit, will furnish 1,000,000 gallons per 
twenty-four hours (1.55 cubic feet per second) of salinity of 100 grains, 
this water may be used to irrigate the bottom lands adjacent, amount- 



58 WATER RESOUECES OF MOLOKAI, [no. 77. 

ing to 150 acres, less water being needed on these low-lying lands 
than on the higher ground. This would require 8 theoretical horse- 
power, or 10 delivered at the motor if electric power be used. Should 
the water prove too salt, water from Kaunakakai must be used. 

Kaunakdkai. — One well at Kaunakakai is clearly proved to be able 
to deliver a steady stream of 1,000,000 gallons per twenty-four hours 
(1.55 cubic feet per second). It is probable that 2,000,000 gallons (3.09 
cubic feet per second) more may be obtained from shallow wells to 
sea level between this well and the so-called Risdon wells, 1 mile east- 
ward. 

Risdon ivells. — These 20 wells have never been adequately tested, 
and their capacity is in doubt. Such incomplete tests as have been 
made are encouraging, and the conditions seem to indicate that they 
may furnish 2,000,000 gallons of water (3.09 cubic feet per second) at 
80 grains of salinity. The water is contained in a well-defined stratum 
of porous rock from 9 feet to 34 feet below sea level. 

Kaiuela. — Between Risdon station and the west boundary of Kawela 
the ground water does not appear along the coast in notable quanti- 
ties, and the prospect of obtaining water from wells is not encour- 
aging. But one-fourth of a mile east of Onini station very large 
springs appear on the beach, and I believe that there is 2,000,000 gal- 
lons (3.09 cubic feet per second) of ground water available at this 
place. The wells should be sunk at the foot of the bluff, just east of 
the rock point which extends to the sea. Preliminary^ exploration 
by means of pits or shafts would be necessarj'- to decide at what level 
the water will be found; possibly most of it is held above sea level, 
but this is a point which can not be decided at present. 

On the west side of Kawela Gulch for a distance of 2,000 feet from 
the creek a considerable amount of water is probably available. I 
think 3,000,000 gallons (4.64 cubic feet per second) can be secured 
here, but whether at sea level or 30 or 40 feet below it is impossible to 
say at present. 

The flood plain of Kawela Gulch at present contains much water 
in its gravelly bed, but this amount will probably be notably dimin- 
ished by the diversion of its headwaters into the irrigation system as 
proposed above. Nearly all of the recent well boring and pumping 
has been done on the east side of Kawela Gulch. The total quantity 
of water proved seems to be 4,500,000 gallons (6.96 cubic feet per 
second). Of this, 2,000,000 gallons (3.09 cubic feet per second) of 40 
grains salinity have been shown to be available at wells Nos. 1, 2, 
and 3; 2,500,000 gallons (3.87 cubic feet per second) of 60 grains 
salinity may be considered proved at well No. 4, with its pit and tun- 
nels, if the flow of salt water is shut off, which probably can be done 
by filling the salty bore hole with cement and constructing a cement 
wall around the leak in the southeast corner of the pit (see p. 44). 



LTNDGRKN.] 



UTILIZATION OF WATER SUPPLY. 



59 



Tunneling at about 4 feet below water level has proved a difficult 
undertaking, and will become more so in the loose gravelly material 
which will be encountered near wells Nos. 6, 7, and 8. It would prob- 
ably be better to run an open cut 6 feet wide in the bottom and 4 feet 
below Avater level in a line of about 15 feet south of the wells, thus 
collecting all of the ground water available at sea level into one cen- 
tral station, whence the water could be pumped. But to this must be 
added such amounts of the ground water as is stored in lower strata, 
as, for instance, 55 feet below the surface at well No. 8. This deeper 
water may be secured by connecting the bore holes with the main cut 
at its level — i. e., 4 feet below the sea level — but each bore hole must 
first be very carefully tested as to capacity and lowering of water level. 
If necessary, the open cut must be extended west of well No. 1, and 
a tunnel run through the bluff of well No. 9. It is almost impossible 
to outline a plan which in its details can be strict! 3^ adhered to, for the 
conditions change almost from day to day and the work requires the 
personal supervision of a very skilled and experienced engineer. In 
conclusion, it is believed that 10,000,000 gallons (15.47 cubic feet per 
second) may be expected at Kawela, east of the creek, and 3,000,000 
gallons (4.64 cubic feet per. second) west of the same. At Kamalo a 
quantity of water almost equal to that at Kawela may be expected, 
and a few million gallons may doubtless be obtained at intervals 
between Kamalo and Mapulehu. 

To collect these waters will doubtless prove an expensive undertak- 
ing, owing to the many small pumj)ing stations. Should it be desired 
to pump a smaller quantity for purposes of irrigation along the coast, 
some of the small streams at high elevations could be used to gener- 
ate electric power to drive the pumps below. 

Recapitulation. — While the estimate of waters available below the 
surface is necessarily very uncertain and difficult, I should place the 
probable amounts as follows : 

Probable amount of water available. 



Million gal- 
lons per 24 
hours. 



Cubic feet 
per second. 



Palaau 

Cocoamit grove wells 

Kaunakakai 

Risdon wells 

Onini Station _ 

Kawela (west) 

Kawela (east) 

High-level irrigation system 

Total 



3 

1.5 

3 

2 
2 
3 
10 
4.8 



29.3 



4.64 
2.32 
4.64 
3.09 
3.09 
4.64 
15.47 
7.43 



45.32 



60 



WATER RESOURCES OF MOLOKAI. 



[NO 77. 



ELECTRIC POWER AVAILABLE. 

As stated before, the irrigation system from the running streams 
outlined above should furnish at an elevation of 800 feet a steady sup- 
ply of 4,800,000 gallons a day (7.43 cubic feet per second), or 3,333 
gallons a minute. If the water is applied below 425 feet on the 
south slope of the gap, 375 feet of fall will be available, giving a the- 
oretical horsepower of 314, which if converted into electrical power by 
means of Pelton wheel and dynamo and transmitted with high poten- 
tial to Kawela should be sufficient to raise 13,000,000 gallons 66 feet; 
length of pressure pipe, 15,000 feet; length of transmission to Kawela, 
10 miles. The greatest item of cost is the pressure pipe, w^hich should 
be 14 inches in diameter, riveted, and of wrought iron, and which 
would not cost less than $50,000. The transmission would offer no 
difficulties, nor would the loss in transmission with high voltage be 
large. The great cost of pressure pipe diminishes the value of this 
proposition. More electric power could be obtained by utilizing the 
upper reservoir, w^hich has a capacity of 160,000,000 gallons (247.56 
cubic feet per second). Quantity of water available, 1,000,000 gallons 
per twenty-four hours (1.55 cubic feet per second), or 700 gallons per 
minute; fall available, 700 feet; total theoretical horsepower avail- 
able, 123; horsepower available at pumps 5 to 10 miles distant, 75. 
Pressure pipe from reservoir to power station in Meyers Gulch, at 
elevation of 1,100 feet, would be 10,000 feet long; diameter of 8 inches 
should be sufficient. Here, again, the pressure pipe forms the prin- 
cipal item of cost, being not less than $15,000. 

This proposition is more favorable, but still verj^ expensive in com- 
parison with the advantages obtained. On the whole, it seems more 
advisable to depend upon steam for motive power. 

Electric power from Pelekunu, Wailau, and Halo.wa. — According 
to a preliminary report by Mr. M. M. O'Shaughnessj^, dated December 
5, 1899, the following approximate power could be generated by util- 
izinar these streams : 



stream. 


Normal flow 

(gallons per 

24 hours). 


Cubic, feet 
per second. 


Fall avail- 
able for 
power 


Horsepow- 
er (theo- 
retical). 


Halawa . 


5, 000, 000 

10, 000, 000 

5,000,000 

3, 850, 000 


7.74 

15.47 

7.74 

5.96 


800 


268 


Wailau 


400 , 701 


Pelektinn 

Waikolti- - - -- 


200 


210 









INDEX. 



Agricultural land, location and area of . . 19 

Alcoves, occurrence and features of. 10,11 

Alena well, features of __ 38 

Algaroba trees, occurrence and use of ... 20 

Allen, E. T., examination of soil by 20 

American Sugar Company, lands con- 
trolled by.. 25 

wells bored by... 40-43 

Area of the island 9 

Bananas, wild, occurrence of 23,30,33,35 

Basalt flows, plates showing 10, 14 

Bermuda grass, pasture lands covered by 

variety of __. 21 

Cactus trees, occurrence of . . _ _ 21 

Candle tree, occurrence and character of. 21 

Cattle, damage to forest by . _ _ 23-24 

Center, D., information furnished by, as 

to amount of salt in well water ... 42 
relative to flow of Waihanau and 

"Waialeia rivers 31 

Cibotium, occurrence of 22 

Climate, character of 16-18 

Cocoanut grove, location of 20-25 

soil, near, character of 20 

springs at 28-39 

wells at 39-40,57-58 

Coffee, cultivation of 19, 21 

Coral reefs, occurrence of 9, 15-16 

Coral sand, occurrence of 16 

Cultivation, old, evidences of 35 

Dana, J. D., quoted on origin of precipices 

in Hawaiian group 13 

Deer, damage to forests by __ 23,24 

Dunes, occurrences of 16 

Eea vines, occurrence and character of . . 22-32 
Electric power, amount available and 

cost of- 60 

Evaporation, amount of 48 

Farms, abandoned 25 

Fauna of the island 24 

Ferns, occurrence of 21,22,32 

Forests, damage to, by grazing of cattle. 23 

decay of 22,23-24 

decrease of , causes of .._ 28-24 

location and character of 21-23 

preservation of, suggestions relative 

to... 24 

Frost, rarity of occurrence of 16 

Geology of the island. 12-15 

Glauchenia, occurrence of 22 

Goats, damage to forests by 23 

Grasses, kinds of 21 

Ground water, utilization of - - - , , , - - - 56-60 



Guavas, wild, occurrence of . .' 21, 22 

Halawa River, drainage area and flow of. 33 

electric power from. 60 

features of 13 

Haleakala, view obtained of 23 

Hau bushes, occurrence of 21 

Hawaiian Islands, rocks in, recognized by 

petrogi'apher s 14 

Hitchcock, C. H., cited on topography of 

Oahu... 13 

Honolulu, rainfall at 17 

loli well, features of 38 

Irrigation from wells 28 

Kahapakai i'ork, flow of 34 

proposed dam. on, f eatui-es of 53 

Kalamaula, wells on, features of .__ 39-40 

Kalaupapa Peninsula, area and elevation 

of 11 

features of --.. 13-14 

Kaluakoi, area and topography of 10 

character of soil of.. 19 

wells of. 37-38 

Kamakaipo, wells at 38 

Kamakou, elevation of. 10 

Kamalo, soil at 20 

Kamalo Gulch, features of 37 

view of 12 

Kamalo Sugar Company, lands controlled 

by... 26 

Kamiloloa Gulch, proposed dam in, fea- 
tures of - 52 

Kaunakakai, boring for water at, pro- 
posed 25-26 

cocoanut grove near _ 20 

rainfall at.. 16-17 

soil near, character of 20 

well at, flow of 58 

Kaunakakai Gulch, features of 35-36 

wells in 40^3 

Kawela, sandy soil at. 20 

Ka wela Gulch, features of 36-37 

ground water near 58-59 

proposed dam in, features of 53 

springs east of.. 29 

view of mouth of.. 10 

wells in 26, 43-47 

Koa tree, occurrence and character of . . . 22 

Kolo well, features of 38 

Kolo windmill, view of south coast at 10 

Kukuitree, occurrence and character of. 31, 

33,23,32,34 
Lahale tree, occurrence and features of.. 20 
Lands, agricultural, location and area of. 19 

61 



.62 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Lands, pasture, character of 21 

Lantania, thickets of 20 

Lava bowlders, extent of zone of _ 21 

Lohua tree, decay of, causes of 23 

occurrence and character of_ 22,33 

Leper settlement, area and population of. 25 

features of 21 

Luahine Pork, proposed dana on, features 

of 53 

Makakupaia Fork, proposed dam on, 

features of. 53 

Manania, pasture lands covered by 21 

Map of the island 9 

Mapeluhu, rainfall at 16 

Maui, view obtained of volcano on _ _ 23-23 

Mauna Loa, well near, features of. 38 

Meyers Gulch, drainage area of 33 

volume of flow in 34 

wells in, features of ._- 39 

Meyers Lake, features, of -. 53 

Meyers ranch, location of 25 

rainfall at. -__ 17-18 

springs on.. 29-30 

Mokamoka Fork, character and flow of.. 34^35 

Molokai ranch, rainfall at 17 

water supply of 30 

MolokaiRanch Company , lands controlled 

by.... 35 

Momomie well, features of 87-38 

Morritz, Dr., cited on rainfall on the 

island 16 

Mountain apple, occurrence of . _ 22, 32 

Naiwa, wells on, features of.. 39 

Newell, F. H., letter of transmittal by. .. 7 

Ohia tree, occurrence of 23 

Olivine-diabase rock, occurrence of 14 

Onlni, springs near 58 

Onini Gulch, character of. 36 

Orange, wild, occurrence of 22 

O'Shaughnessy, M. M., report by, on gen- 
eration of power 60 

Palaau, cane land near 19 

ground water available at 57 

rainfall at.. 17 

sediment land east of 30 

springs at, features of. 28 

wells at, features of ._ 38-39 

Papaia trees, cultivation of 31 

Papohaku, algaroba groves at 20 

wells near 38 

Pasture lands, character of 21 

Pele grass, pasture lands covered with . . 21 

Pelekunu River, character and flow of . . 32 

electric power from 60 

features of 11 

flow of .55 

rainfall on headwaters of 18 

Pineapples, abandoned plantations of 35 

Pope, E . , surveys for dams made by 54 

Population of the island 9,35 

Precipitation. See Rainfall. 

Pulu ferns, occurrence of . 33 

PuuoKaiaka, well near 38 

Rainfall, amount of 16-18, 48, 49 



Page. 

Rainfall, average annual 16 

disposition of.. _ 47 

Reefs, coral, occurrence of 9, 15-16 

Reservoirs, proposed sites for, features of. 52-55 

Residual soils, character of 18 

Rice, cultivation of 25 

Risdon wells, features of 58 

location and features of 42-43 

Rocks, character of. 14-15 

Run-off, amount of. _ 48,49 

Salinity of the ground water, considera- 
tion of.... : 50 

reference to 27,^ 

Sand, coral, occurrence of 16 

Scenery of northeast coast, reference to. 9 

Sedimentary soils, character of _ 18 

Soils, character of._ 18-20 

Springs, occurrence and features of 38-30 

high-level, occurrence and character 

of 39-30 

Storage of watsr , proposed . _ 53-55 

Streams, cost of collecting and storing. . . 55, 56 

features of 11-12,30-37 

utilization of 50-56 

Sugar cane, cultivation of, location and 

area of lands for 10 

• irrigation of, amount of water re- 
quired for 49-50 

Swamps, soil in, character of 19-30 

Taro, cultivation of _ 20,33,25 

Temperature of the island 16 

Topography of the island. _ ... 9-12 

Trails, references to._. _ 21,22 

Trees, kinds and characters of 21-33 

Ului ferns, occurrence of 33 

Vegitation on the island 30-23 

Waiakane, spring at.. 28 

well at, features of 38 

Waialeia River, drainage area and flowof . 31 

proposed dam on, features of 53 

Waieli, well near _ 38 

Waihanau River, drainage area and flow 

of 31 

proposed dam on, features of 52-53 

Waikolu River, drainage area and flow of. .31-33 

flowof 60 

proposed dam on, features of 52 

rainfall on headwaters of 18 

Wailau, view of north coast from land- 
ing at 12 

Wailau River, character and flow of.. 11,33,33 

electric power from 60 

flowof.. 55 

rainfall on headwaters of . _ 18 

view of north coast at mouth of 14 

Water, salinity of, consideration of 50 

supply of, general principles govern- 
ing 36-38 

theoretical amount of, available 47-49 

utilization of 49-60 

Wells of the island 37-47 

Wili-wili tree, occurrence and chai'acter 

of .- 31 

Winds, character of 16 



o 



LIBEARY CATALOGUE SLIPS. . 

[Take this leaf out and paste the separated titles upon three of your catalogue 
cards. The first and second titles need no addition; over the third wi-ite that 
subject under which you would place the book in your library.] 



United States. Department of the interior. {U. S. geological 
survey. 

Water-Snpply and Irrigation Paper No. 77 Series O, Under- 
ground waters. 19 | Department of the interior | United States 
geological survey | Charles D. Walcott, director | — | The | 
water resources of Molokai | Hawaiian Islands | by | Waldemar 
Lindgren | [Vignette] | 

Washington | government printing office | 1903 
8°. 62 pp., 4 pis. 



Lindgren (Waldemar). 

Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 77 Series O, Under- 
ground waters, 19 | Department of the interior | United States 
geological sxtrvey | Charles D. Walcott. director | — | The | 
water resources of Molokai | Hawaiian Islands | by | Waldemar 
Lindgren | [Vignette] | 

Washington | government printing office | 1903 

8°. 62 pp., 4 pis. 



Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 77 Series O, Under- 
ground waters. 19 | Department of the interior | United States 
geological survey | Charles D. Walcott, director | — | The | 
water resources of Molokai | Hawaiian Islands | by | Waldemar 
Lindgren | [Vignette] | 

Washington | government printing office | 1903 

8°. 62 pp., 4 pis. 



M 



iyuii 



Series L— Quality of "Water. 

WS 3. Sewage irrigation, by G. W. Rafter. 1897. 100 pp., 4 pis. 
WS 22. Sewage irrigation, Part II, by G. W. Rafter. 1899. 100 pp., 7 pis. 

"WS 72. Sewage pollution in the metropolitan area near New York City and its effect on inland 
water resources, by M. O. Leighton. 1902. 75 pp., 8 pis. 

Series M— Methods of Hydrogbaphig Investigation. 

WS 56. Methods of stream measurement. 1901. 51 pp., 12 pis. 

WS 64. Accuracy of stream measurements, by E. C. Murphy. 1902. 99 pp., 4 pis. 

WS 76. Observations on the flow of rivers in the vicinity of New York City, by H. A. PreBsey. 

Series N— Water Power. 

WS 24. Water resources of the State of New York, Part I, by G. W. Rafter. 1899. 92 pp., 13 pis. 
WS 25. Water resources of the State of New York, Part II, by G. W. Rafter. 100-200 pp.' 12 pis! 
WS 44. Profiles of rivers, by Henry Gannett. 1901. 100 pp., 11 pis. 
WS 62. Hydrography of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region, Part I by H A Pressev 

1902. 95 pp., 25 pis. 
WS 63. Hydrography of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region, Part II by H A Pressev 

1902. 96-190 pp., 26-44 pis. 
WS 69. Water powers of the State of Maine, by H. A. Pressey. 1902. 124 pp., 14 pis. 

Series O— IJNDERGROtrND Waters. 

[See last page of this cover.] 

Series P— Hydroqraphio Progress Reports. 

WS 11. River Heights for 1896, by A. P. Davis. 1897. 100 pp. 
WS 15. Operations at river stations, 1897, Part I. 1898. 100 pp. 
WS 16. Operations at river stations, 1897, Part II. 1898. 101-200 pp. 
WS 27. Operations at river stations, 1898, Part I. 1899. 100 pp. 
WS 28. Operations at river stations, 1898, Part II. 1899. 100-200 pp. 
WS 35. Operations at river stations, 1899, Part I. 1900. 100 pp. 
WS 36. Operations at river stations, 1899, Part II. 1900. 101-198 pp. 
WS 37. Operations at river stations, 1899, Part III. 1900. 199-298 pp. 
WS 38. Operations at river stations, 1899, Part IV. 1900. 299-396 pp. 
WS 39. Operations at river stations, 1899, Part V. 1900. 397-471 pp. 
WS 47. Operations at river stations, 1900, Part I. 1901. 100 pp. 
WS 48. Operations at river stations, 1900, Part II. 1901. 101-196 pp. 
WS 49. Operations at river stations, 1900, Part III. 1901. 197-292 pp. 
WS 50. Operations at river stations, 1900, Part IV. 1901. 293-388 pp. 
WS 51. Operations at river stations, 1900, Part V. 1901. 389-488 pp. 
WS 52. Operations at river stations, 1900, Part VI. 1901. 489-575 pp. 
WS fi5. OrKjrations at river stations, 1901, Part I. 1902. 334 pp. 
■^=. 66. Operations at river stations, 1901, Part II. 1902. 188 pp. 

WS 75. Report of progress of stream measurements for the calendar year 1901 byP H Newell 
1903. 246 pp, 13 pis. 

Progress reports may also be found in the following publications: Tenth Annual, Part H; 
Eleventh Annual, Part II; Twelfth Annual, Part II; Thirteenth Annual, Part III; Eighteenth 
Annual, PartIV; Nineteenth Annual, Part IV; Twentieth Annual, Part IV; Twenty-first Annual, 
Part IV; Twenty-second Annual, Part IV; Bulletin No. 131; Bulletin No. 140. 
iBR 77—3 



llELATING ESPECIALLY TO UNDERGROUND WATERS. 

Series O— Undekground Waters. 

WS 4. A reconnaissance in southeastern Washington, by I. ^ Russell. J^^J^ Jf PPj' ^P^"" 
WS 6. Underground waters of southwestern Kansas, by Erasmus Haworth. 1897. 65 

WS 7 Seepage waters of northern Utah, by Samuel Fortier. 189T. 5"PP-;^Pls. 

will: SeTgr^und waters of southeastern Nebraska, by N.H.Da^^^^^^^ 1898. ..6pp.,21 

WS 21. Wells of northern Indiana, by Frank Leverett. 1899. 82 pp , 2 pis. 

WS 26 Wells of southern Indiana (continuation of No^21). by Frank Leverett^ S'r,T-^vlB 

WS 30. Water resources of the lower peninsula of MicMganJ^y A. a Lane. 1899. 9. pp., < pis. 

WS 31 Lower Michigan mineral waters, by A. C. Lane. 1899. 9, pp., 4 pis 

WS U. Gellogy and water resources of a portion of southeastern South Dakota, by J. E. 

WS 53. GeSSgy^nd water resources of Nez Perces County, Idaho, Part I, by I. C. Russell. 

WS 54. Ge'^logy S water resources of Nez Perces County, Idaho. Part II,by I. C. Russell. 

WS55. G^ology^'and water resources of a poition of Yakima County, Wash., by G. O. S 

WS57. PrSuntrTlist^'S deep borings in the United States, Part I, byN. H. Darton. im. 

WS 59. De'Je^opment and application of water in southern California, Part I, by J. B. Lip^ 

cott. 1902. 95 pp., 11 pis. . .p<.,ttwtrt/ 

WS60. Development and application of water in southern California, Paitll, b> J.B. L 

WS 61. Pr"eUmina'?y lisTifde^ep borings in the United States, Part II, by N. H. Darton. 

WS 67. ThI motions of underground waters, by C. S. Slichter. 1902^ 105 PP- / J^- ^^^^^^ ^,^ 
B 199. Geology and water resources of the Snake River Plains of Idaho, by I. C. Russell. 1J«2. 

WS 77. Wate?"'rfsources of Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1903. ^ pp., 

The foutwfng papers also relate to this subject: Underground waters of Arkansas Valley in 
The touowmg p 1 Seventeenth Annual, Part II; Prelimmary report on arte- 

well pro'spect, in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region, by N. H. Darton, Bulletm No. 138. 

Correspondence should be addressed to 

The Director, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C. 

iRB 77—4 




